Australia, who won the ODI series, didn’t have the beginning of the T20I series in their favour. In Canberra, they fell 11 runs short in pursuit of 162 runs target and subsequently, lost the first T20I. The host will now play the do-or-die second T20I in Sydney on Sunday (December 6).
Notably, Australia is playing without their batting mainstay David Warner while their star all-rounder Marcus Stoinis is not fully fit. Also, their premier bowler Pat Cummins has been rested for the series. Thus, the exclusion of significant contributors have made Australia a bit weak. Moreover, their captain Aaron Finch was seen limping while fielding, and thus, his availability for the penultimate T20I is also not confirmed.
Here, let’s take a look at Australia’s predicted playing XI for the fixture:
D’Arcy Short:
D’Arcy Short was given a couple of chances alive before T Natarajan finally sent back him in the hut. He first escaped a run-out chance then Virat Kohli dropped an easy catch of his and thus, he went on to score 34 runs off 38 balls. The attacking batsman need to play a set a good base for Australia in the
Aaron Finch (c):
Aaron Finch, who was a complete flop in the Indian Premier League, bamboozled Indian bowlers in the ODIs, scoring one century and two half-centuries. He scored a half-century in the first T20I, but he was also seen limping during his knock which might invite another injury scare for Australia. As of now, the host has not informed about the seriousness of his injury, so he is likely to go to play the second T20I.
Steven Smith:
Steven Smith scored back to back centuries in the first two ODI matches to take the game home for Australia. With this, he also became the third Australian to score the fastest ODI century. He is the game-changer and difference-maker.
But Yuzvendra Chahal halted him to play a big knock in the first T20I. After hitting one maximum to the spinner, he was sent back home as Sanju Smason took an excellent catch.
Glenn Maxwell:
Glenn Maxwell’s power-hitting has demolished India’s bowling attack in the ODI series. He scored back to back two half-centuries in the last two ODI matches- one ended up in winning cause while the other went into vain. But the T20I debutant T Natrajan got his wicket early in the first T20I to seal the deal for India.
Alex Carey (wk):
Although Matthew Wade has returned to Australia’s squad, the team has gone with Alex Carey for the wicketkeeper-batsman position, who has been with the team in the past matches. He has good gloves while also gave a good contribution with the bat.
Moises Henriques:
Moises Henriques was prolific with both bat and ball. He picked the crucial wickets of KL Rahul, Sanju Samson and Hardik Pandya in his four overs quota while batting, he played a fiery knock, scoring 30 runs off 20 balls.
Sean Abbott:
Sean Abbott proved to be expensive with the ball as he gave away 23 runs in his two overs, but as Marcus Stoinis is not fully, he is likely to maintain his spot.
Ashton Agar:
In the last ODI against India, the spinner Ashton Agar picked two wickets while conceded only 44 runs. But in the first T20I, he was not included in the squad. Seeing his great form, he is likely to get his place back in the XI.
Adam Zampa:
The leg-spinner Adam Zampa picked the wicket of Manish Pandey while was too economical. He gave away only 20 runs and was hit only for one boundary in his four overs quota. He is going to trouble Indian bowlers again.
Mitchell Starc:
Mitchell Starc was out of form in the ODI series but was back in full power in the first T20I. He clean bowled Shikhar Dhawan while also picked the wicket of Washington Sundar. However, his figure in death overs was disturbed by Ravindra Jadeja’s powerful batting. He will look to redeem in the second T20I in Sydney.
Josh Hazlewood:
Josh Hazlewood was the trouble-maker for Virat Kohli in the ODI series, but in the first T20I, he could not pick even a wicket. He was expensive as he leaked 39 runs in his four overs. The speedster will look to bounce back stronger in the second T20I.