Australia vs India, 2nd T20I – Match Preview

In 9.4 overs, which were bowled at the Manuka Oval, Canberra, India showed why they are the number one T20I team in the ICC rankings. While in-form Abhishek Sharma played a hit-and-miss kind of innings (19 off 14 balls), Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav got back amongst the runs, which was a huge positive for the Men in Blue.

Gill scored an unbeaten 20-ball 37, whereas captain SKY scored a much-needed knock of 39 runs off 24 balls, which would do his confidence a world of good. The Indian skipper enjoyed pace and bounce in the opening game and looked comfortable at the crease.

Meanwhile, Australian bowlers were not able to hit the right areas and they would want to pull up their socks. 

There is no doubt that Arshdeep Singh is unlucky to miss out in the final XI despite being India’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is but the team management is unlikely to change the playing XI and the visitors are expected to continue backing Harshit Rana.

Rana had impressed in the ODI series, and he would want to carry his good form against the Aussies.

Head to Head: Matches: 32, Won by Australia: 11, Won by India: 20, Abandoned: 1

India T20I squad:

Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill (VC), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson (WK), Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar.

Australia T20I squad (first two games): Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.