AUS vs IND Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match? T20I series, Match 2

India had their fair share of troubles during the first T20I against Australia, but they somehow managed to win by 11 runs and took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Ravindra Jadeja has been ruled out due to concussion, but Yuzvendra Chahal’s bowling has given them a lifeline.

Going into the second T20I at the SCG on Sunday, the Men in Blue have to resurrect their batting as well. The fact that India are on a nine-match winning streak in the format should also give them confidence.

For Australia, Nathan Lyon has been added to the squad in place of Cameron Green. Skipper Aaron Finch’s niggle will also give the Aussies a bit of headache. The hosts will also be mindful of the fact that they have lost both their T20Is against India at the venue in Sydney.

Pitch and Conditions

The pitch in Sydney was a belter for batting in the ODIs where all four times, scores of over 300 were registered. Going by history in the T20 format, the venue has been a witness to some fairly high-scoring affairs with the average first innings score over 160.

The chasing teams have had a fair amount of advantage. The conditions will be sunny with the temperature around 30 degrees Celsius.

Playing Combinations for AUS vs IND

Australia

Aaron Finch (C)/Marnus Labuschagne, D’Arcy Short, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade (WK), Moises Henriques, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Josh Hazlewood/Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa

Bench– Marcus Stoinis, Daniel Sams, Josh Hazlewood/Andrew Tye, Alex Carey, Aaron Finch/Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon

India

KL Rahul (WK), Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (C), Sanju Samson, Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Deepak Chahar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Shami/Jasprit Bumrah, T Natarajan

Bench– Mayank Agarwal, Navdeep Saini, Shardul Thakur, Shreyas Iyer, Mohammed Shami/Jasprit Bumrah

Probable Top Performers for AUS vs IND

Steve Smith- Australia

Steve Smith would remember how he pulverised the Indian bowling attack in the ODI series. At the SCG, he smacked back-to-back centuries, guiding the Aussies to an unassailable 2-0 lead.

In the first T20I, he started with a massive six on the on-side, but then perished to Yuzvendra Chahal. It was after his dismissal that the momentum went in India’s favour. He would be keen to make amends.

Virat Kohli– India

Virat Kohli doesn’t have a T20 ton to his name, but with as many as 24 half-centuries, he has an average in excess of 50. But in the last game, he got out after giving a simple caught and bowled to Mitchell Swepson.

He was found wanting to a delivery that skidded a bit more than Kohli expected. At the SCG against the Aussies, the 32-year-old Virat has had scores of 50 and an unbeaten 61.

AUS vs IND Head to Head

Overall

Played – 21 | Australia Won – 8 | India Won – 12 | Tie/NR – 1

In Australia

Played – 10 | Australia Won – 3 | India Won – 6 | NR – 1

Average first innings score: 164 (6 completed T20Is played at the SCG)

Record of chasing teams: Won- 4 | Lost- 2

Broadcast Details

Match timings – 07:10 PM local time, 01:40 PM IST

TV – Sony SIX

Live Streaming – Sony LIV

The prediction is for the team, batting second to win the match.

Disclaimer: This prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.