With the ODIs done and dusted, the focus shifts to the three-match T20I series starting from December 4 (Friday) at the Manuka Oval in Canberra. India will be desperate to bounce back in the shortest format after going down 1-2 in the one-dayers.
Coming from the back of a win, Virat Kohli & Co will be confident and their recent record in international T20Is might boost their confidence more. The T20Is might see KL Rahul slot back in the top-order alongside Shikhar Dhawan in the absence of Rohit Sharma.
Manish Pandey might get a game after warming the benches in the ODIs while Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja will complete the batting order. On the bowling front, Deepak Chahar is likely to come in while T Natarajan might make his T20I debut after an impressive ODI debut. Sunil Gavaskar stated that Kuldeep Yadav should continue ahead of Yuzvendra Chahal and the management might go with it.
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On the other hand, Australia will continue to miss the service of David Warner owing to the injury. D’Arcy Short is likely to open the innings alongside skipper Aaron Finch. Marcus Stoinis is likely to return to action after missing the last two ODIs with his hamstring injury.
In Pat Cummins’ absence, Cameron Green is expected to make his debut, whereas if Mitchell Starc, who is nursing an injury, is unavailable, Sean Abbott will pick himself alongside Josh Hazlewood.
Australia vs India 2020: 1st T20I at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on December 4th at 1:40 PM IST
Predicted Playing XI
India: KL Rahul (WK), Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (C), Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar, Yuzvendra Chahal, T Natarajan, Jasprit Bumrah
Australia: Aaron Finch (C), D’Arcy Short, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey (WK), Moises Henriques/Marcus Stoinis, Cameron Green, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Stac/Sean Abbott, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa
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Match Prediction
India had a contrasting fortune in the T20Is coming from the back of a 5-0 series win against New Zealand earlier this year. More so, they have not lost any matches in the last eight encounters.
And after Virat Kohli & Co avenged Australia’s unbeaten run in the Canberra, the visitors are likely to go 1-0 up in the three-match series.