Australia vs India: T20I series- India Predicted XI

After a full-fledged Test, ODI and T20I series against Windies, India are now scheduled to play three T20Is against Australia, starting November 21 at The Gabba in Brisbane. Melbourne and Sydney are the venues for the remaining two encounters. They clean swept the Caribbean team and would be brimming with confidence, however, Australia will be a different proposition altogether.

The visitors can take heart from the fact that they were able to beat the Aussies 3-0 in their last tour, that time under MS Dhoni. India and Australia are ranked second and third respectively in ICC’s T20I team rankings and a closely-fought series can be expected. In our article, we take a look at the probable eleven India, led by the aggressive Virat Kohli, are likely to field in the series.

Openers (Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan)

Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma have been India’s opening batsmen for quite a while and the duo would have to play the role even in the upcoming series. Dhawan, after getting dropped from the Test squad against Windies and Australia, did exceptionally and notched 138 runs in three T20Is against the Caribbean at an average of 46. He also scored the runs at an impressive strike-rate.

Rohit also amassed 121 runs in three matches of the series. Albeit, he failed in Kolkata and Chennai respectively, the Nagpur-born batsman racked up 111 not out in the second match in Lucknow. He also became the first batsman to score four T20I centuries, surpassing Colin Munro’s tally of four centuries. Both Dhawan and Rohit have to be on top of their game and step up in Australia.

Middle Order (KL Rahul, Virat Kohli (C), Dinesh Karthik (wk), Rishabh Pant)

The middle-order is a formidable one with a blend of youth and experience. Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik are the experienced members in the middle. Kohli took a break from the T20I series against Windies and he would be raring to take the field. Karthik scored 31 not out in the opening match against the Caribbean team and didn’t get the chance of batting in the last couple of encounters.

Rahul has been in and out of the team but played all three encounters against Windies. Nevertheless, with scores of 16, 26* and 17, he wasn’t quite able to perform to expectations. Rishabh Pant, on the contrary, contributed with a match-winning half-century in Chennai after he flattered to deceive in the first two T20Is. Karthik may be the designated wicketkeeper in Australia.

All-rounders (Krunal Pandya)

The elder of the Pandya brothers was decent enough against Windies and he may be persisted with in the playing eleven. Though he went for 40 runs in the last T20I, the Baroda cricketer was frugal with the leather in his appearance in international cricket. He conceded 15 runs apart from picking up the crucial wicket of Kieron Pollard. In Australia, he would like to carry on with his rich vein of form.

Bowlers (Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Khaleel Ahmed)

Chinaman Kuldeep Yadav was arguably India’s standout spinner in the T20I fixtures having finished the series with six wickets. His best bowling spell of 3/13 came in the second encounter. The 23-year-old spinner troubled the English batsmen earlier this year and it won’t spring a surprise if he creates enough problems for the Australian batsmen as well.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah and Khaleel Ahmed are expected to shoulder the fast-bowling department. Bhuvneshwar was expensive in the last match, but he was good enough in the first two T20Is against Windies. Bumrah, yet another time, was immaculate with his length and he finished with five wickets. Left-armer Khaleel Ahmed was exceptional.

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