Table of Contents
ToggleAustralia lost the T20I series on Sunday in Sydney when India chased down 195 in the last over. The Aussie bowlers were found out of plans against the Indian batsmen.
The third and last T20I will be played on Tuesday at the same venue. The team is already plagued with injuries and will look to avoid a whitewash at home. With the series already lost, changes are expected in the Australian eleven for the dead rubber.
Australia vs India, 2020: 3rd T20I, Sydney – Australia Predicted XI
Matthew Wade
Matthew Wade notched his second T20I fifty on Sunday and also led the Aussie team in Aaron Finch’s absence. He scored 58 off 32 balls and gave his side a strong start. With the third T20I being a dead rubber, it is unlikely that Finch will return risking to aggravate his injury.
Marcus Stoinis
After suffering an injury in the ODI series and missing the first T20I, Marcus Stoinis returned for the second T20I. He scored 16 from 7 balls but didn’t bowl. Stoinis was phenomenal at the top in the Big Bash and was in superb form in the IPL. He could be promoted up the order replacing D’Arcy Short, who has struggled to hit big shots.
Steve Smith
Steve Smith continued his good form from the ODI to the T20Is as he struck 46 from 38 balls on Sunday. However, he wasn’t at his attacking best as the Indian bowlers kept a lid on the Aussie. Australia will hope for Smith to be as free-flowing in the third match as he was in the ODI series.
Glenn Maxwell
After an abysmal IPL, Glenn Maxwell is back in his monstrous avatar. In the ODI series, he scored 167 runs at a strike rate of 194. In the second game, the right-hander scored a quick 13-ball 22 but was dismissed much before Australia would have wanted him to. He also doubles up as an extra spin-bowling option.
Moises Henriques
After his brilliant show in the Big Bash League and consistent performances in domestic cricket, Moises Henriques made his return to the national team after a gap of three years. He did well in the ODI series which made him a place in the T20I series. Henriques played the second T20I even though Marcus Stoinis made a return.
In the first game, the right-hander picked 3 wickets and scored 30 runs bringing his side close to victory. In the second match, he scored 26 runs from 18 balls.
Alex Carey
With the series already conceded, Australia could bring back Alex Carey in place of D’Arcy Short. Carey is Australia’s first-choice keeper, even before Matthew Wade came into the squad. Just before the IPL, Alex Carey made an outstanding match-winning hundred in a tough run chase against England. Marnus Labuschagne could also be in contention for a T20I cap.
Daniel Sams
Daniel Sams received his maiden international cap on Sunday. While he was expensive – 41 runs in 3.4 overs – he did took the prize wicket of Virat Kohli. Sams was the leading wicket-taker in the Big Bash League; 30 wickets at an average of 15.37. He is also capable of hitting the ball over the boundary line with ease.
Mitchell Swepson
After going at an economy of 10 in the first game, Mitchell Swepson returned with figures of 1/25 in the second T20I. He is likely to maintain his place in the side for the third match. His decent show in the previous Big Bash League and domestic cricket prompted a call back to the national set-up after two years.
Adam Zampa
Adam Zampa was the highest wicket-taker of the ODI series picking 7 wickets. He has an inspiring record against Virat Kohli. In international cricket, the leg-spinner has dismissed the Indian captain on 7 occasions. Zampa has troubled the Indian batters in the T20I series with is leg-spin; his figures of 1/20 and 1/36 reflect the same.
Josh Hazlewood
Josh Hazlewood was the second-highest wicket-taker in the ODI series and troubled the Indian batters with his extra bounce. He was expensive in the first ODI and was dropped. But Hazlewood could replace Sean Abbott, who has been leaking runs at a high economy.
Andrew Tye
Though Andrew tye was expensive in the second match, he might keep his place considering his vast experience in T20 cricket. He is a master of variations, and not to forget Tye also has a five-wicket haul in the IPL. Australia would want to avoid a white-wash with the help of Tye.
Also Read: Will Remember T Natarajan’s Spell For A Long Time From The Second T20I: Aakash Chopra