India, Australia reach Trivandrum ahead of 2nd T20I

After their scintillating win in the first T20I of a five-match series against Australia on Thursday, November 23, India will look to double their lead at the Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, November 26.

On Friday, November 24, the Indian team reached Thiruvananthapuram and was warmly welcomed by the hotel staff. The Australian team also reached the Kerala capital ahead of Sunday's high-voltage clash. According to the Kerala Cricket Association, the two teams will be practicing at the match venue, Sports Hub in Karyavattom, on Saturday.

In front of a packed Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, the Indian team pulled off a thrilling two-wicket win with one ball remaining against Matthew Wade and Co. Wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis scored a century while Steve Smith registered a fifty to take the tourists to a formidable total of 208/3 in their stipulated 20 overs.

In reply, stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan scored entertaining half-centuries after Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal were dismissed inside the first three overs. Suryakumar and Kishan forged a 112-run partnership off 60 balls to set a solid platform for the Men in Blue. However, wickets fell at regular intervals towards the backend of the innings and it was Rinku Singh's last-ditch heroics that took India home. Indian pacer Mukesh Kumar also earned praise from fans as well as experts for his effort in the first innings. On a belter of a track and a lightning-fast outfield, the 30-year-old gave away just 29 runs in his four overs.

The home side is expected to stick to the same side in Trivandrum. Meanwhile, the away side rested players like Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, and Adam Zampa, who played in the ODI World Cup 2023 final against India on Sunday, November 19. The trio could return to the playing XI for Sunday's game.