Australia vs India, 2020: 3rd T20I, Sydney: India Predicted XI

India bounced back resoundingly from their ODI series defeat to secure the three-match T20I leg by taking an unassailable lead of 2-0 against Australia. The men in blue clinched victories by 11 runs and six wickets in Canberra and Sydney respectively to regain the much-needed confidence ahead of the Test series. They will eye a 3-0 victory like they successfully did in 2016.

However, with the Test series coming up, players from either side could leave out some of their crucial players. The men in blue still have plenty of top-notch players in their repertoire as they have shown by winning the T20 series that they could be as competitive and win. Nevertheless, the Sydney Cricket Ground could be in for another run-fest.

We take a look at India’s predicted XI ahead of the third T20I against Australia:

KL Rahul:

KL Rahul scored a fifty in the first T20I followed by an innings of 30 in the second as he has managed to get India off to blistering starts. The right-handed batsman might have to consider accelerating in the middle overs once he gets himself set. Nevertheless, the 28-year old is one of the most crucial cogs in India’s line-up today.

Shikhar Dhawan:

After failing the first T20I, Shikhar Dhawan top-scored with 52 off 36 deliveries in the second T20I to set things in motion for India. Shikhar Dhawan’s knock contained four fours and two sixes struck at 144.44, sharing two vital partnerships with KL Rahul and Virat Kohli. Dhawan departed in the 12th over to Adam Zampa.

Virat Kohli (c):

Virat Kohli, who managed only nine runs in the first T20 international, fared relatively well in the second. Virat Kohli scored 40 runs off 24 deliveries to keep India well in sight of the chase. The right-handed batsman had an unfortunate departure as he nicked a wide ball to the keeper off Daniel Sams’ bowling in the 17th over.

Sanju Samson:

Sanju Samson has perished in both the T20 internationals after playing quickfire knocks. The right-handed batsman struck 23 off 12 balls in the first T20I and followed it with 15 off ten deliveries laced with a four and six. Samson holed out to Steve Smith at long-on off Mitchell Swepson’s bowling.

Hardik Pandya:

Hardik Pandya was the star of the second T20I between Australia and India as his whirlwind knock of 42 from 22 balls clinched them the series. Hardik Pandya smashed two sixes in the last over when the tourists needed 14 off the final over. The right-handed batsman also received the man of the match for the same.

Shreyas Iyer:

Shreyas Iyer’s role with the bat was as significant as the others as his two balls over the fence helped reduce the asking rate. Shreyas Iyer’s stay was of five balls and he smashed a monster six alongside a boundary in the 18th over, bowled by Adam Zampa. He finished unbeaten at 12 off five balls.

Washington Sundar:

Washington Sundar bowled a highly economical spell in Canberra of 4-0-16-0; however, was slightly expensive on Sunday in Sydney. The right-arm off-spinner gave away 35 runs in four overs without a wicket. In retrospect, Sundar should have got a wicket in the form of Matthew Wade, who was dropped by Virat Kohli before effecting a run-out.

Shardul Thakur:

Shardul Thakur came in for Ravindra Jadeja, who could not play due to concussion suffered in the first T20I. Shardul Thakur picked the crucial wicket of Glenn Maxwell; however, went for 39 runs in four overs. The right-arm pacer started his Australia tour brilliantly by performing exceedingly well in the third ODI.

Deepak Chahar:

Deepak Chahar, who had figures of 4-0-29-1 in the first T20I, was the most expensive amongst all the pacers. The Australian openers plundered him for 13 runs in the first over and went on to concede 35 in the next three without any wicket. Despite that, Chahar might well retain his spot.

T Natarajan:

T Natarajan was once again clinical after performing well on debut. T Natarajan followed his figures on T20I debut of 4-0-30-3 to take two more scalps while only conceding 20 runs in four overs. The left-arm seamer claimed the wickets of D’arcy Short and Moises Henriques and was the most economical bowler on a batsman’s paradise.

Yuzvendra Chahal:

Yuzvendra Chahal, who earned the man of the match award in the first T20I, was the most expensive bowler in Sydney. Chahal conceded 4-0-51-1; however, picked the wicket of Steve Smith in his last over. Despite proving costly, the Haryana-born leggie could well keep his spot for the final T20I.

Also Read: India Favourites To Win The T20 World Cup Next Year – Harbhajan Singh