Australia vs India, 2020: 3rd T20I, Sydney – Match Prediction

It was another run-fest on Sunday as India emerged victorious in the second T20I. India and Australia will meet for the final limited-overs game of the tour. The third T20I is scheduled for Tuesday at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney.

India has clinched the series by defeating the hosts in the first two T20I. Both the contests were close encounters as the men in blue won by 11 runs in the first game and chased down the target in the last over in the second match. With the series already decided, changes can be expected in both the teams.

The Indian team is back at its best. It is scary to think about how this team will even get better once Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah returns. Virat Kohli’s team has gained momentum from their victory in the third ODI in Canberra and carried it into the T20I series. T Natarajan has been the biggest gain for the team on this tour. KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya have continued their rich vein of form from the IPL.

With the series in the bag, Kohli could give opportunities to players sitting on the bench. Manish Pandey, who was injured for the second game could slot back in. Also, it would be harsh to drop Sanju Samson after his cameos in both the games. The bowling combination is likely to remain the same as none of the five bowlers from the game on Sunday are in the Test squad.

Australia won the ODI series by 2-1, but have been outplayed in the T20I hitherto. Injuries to plenty of players have dented their side. Aaron Finch, who got injured in the first T20I, is unlikely to return for a dead rubber. As Matthew Wade scored his second T20I fifty, he is expected to lead once again. Apart from getting Alex Carey in the eleven for D’Arcy Short, Australia’s batting looks intact.

However, there may be changes in the bowling department. Nathan Lyon, who was added to the T20I squad for Ashton Agar, may get a game in order to gain some international match-time before the Test series.

Sean Abbot was once again expensive, and Josh Hazlewood could replace him. The hosts will be tempted to promote Marcus Stoinis in the batting order considering his exploits in the Big Bash League at the top. Australia would want to win the last T20I and save themselves from the massive embarrassment of a clean-sweep.

Australia vs India, 2020: 3rd T20I, Sydney – Match Prediction

With several first-choice players not available, the Australian team doesn’t look at its competitive best. On the other hand, the Indian juggernaut seems too hard to be stopped by a feeble Aussie tea, under MS Dhoni, India white-washed Australia in the 3-match T20I series in 2016. Virat Kohli would want to do the same again.

The prediction is for India to win the third T20I emphatically and humble the hosts with a 3-0 scoreline.

Also Read: When You Look At Hardik Pandya’s Ability And His Form, Five Balls And Two Sixes Is Not A Big Deal: Sanjay Manjrekar