Sydney: India will be high on confidence after winning the first T20 against Australia by 11 runs at Manuka Oval on Friday and will be aiming for series win here on Sunday.
After losing two ODIs at the beginning of the tour, India have pulled things back with back-to-back wins in Canberra’s Manuka Oval.
The second of those came in the first T20I of the three-match series. The action shifts back to Sydney for the final two T20Is of the series and there are changes to be expected from both sides.
Australia have a doubtful starter in skipper Aaron Finch, who injured his hip in the first game. "The injury got progressively worse as the game went on," Finch had said at the post-match presentation ceremony on Friday. If Finch misses out, Australia will possibly look at Matthew Wade, who was the vice-captain for the previous game, to lead the side.
The Australian squad, that had already undergone several changes last week with Pat Cummins being rested and David Warner ruled out, have to contend with more forced changes. Nathan Lyon has been called up to the squad while Cameron Green was released to play in the three-day tour game against India A.
India might also ring in changes to their line-up. Jasprit Bumrah could come back into the side, while Mohammed Shami might be given a break ahead of the Test series. With Jadeja ruled out, and Shardul Thakur coming in.
India were propelled to a strong total by Ravindra Jadeja’s blitz before Yuzvendra Chahal, who came in as a concussion substitute for the former, picked up three wickets to win the Player of the Match award.
Australia’s batting, in the absence of David Warner, couldn’t quite counter the Indian bowlers on a wicket that was two-paced. Earlier in the Indian innings, Moises Henriques made inroads with his slower deliveries to bag a three-wicket haul. (UNI)