India's predicted XI for the third T20I against Australia
The Indian Cricket Team are currently trailing Australia 0-1 in the three-match T20 series. Much to India's dismay, the second T20I held at Melbourne was called off due to rain. The second T20I was vastly poised in India's favour as India reduced Australia to 132 for 7 in 19 overs.
After deciding to bowl first, India had a marvellous start as the duo of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed rattled the Australian top-order. While the Australian captain Aaron Finch was out for a golden duck, Glenn Maxwell fell prey to Krunal Pandya's off-spin and threw his wicket cheaply.
The Indian team had scarce hopes of winning the match as the target was revised three times only to be abandoned by rain. The target was first revised to 137 in 19 overs for India, and it was further reduced to 90 in 11 overs and 46 from five overs due to prolonged rains. Despite this, not even a single ball could be bowled due to bad weather conditions.
Due to this unfortunate result, India's run of seven consecutive bilateral T20 series wins came to a bitter end. While India would take on Australia in a must-win encounter held at Sydney on Sunday, we could expect India to make a few changes.
Here, we take a look at India's predicted playing XI for the final T20I against Australia.
Openers:
Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan was the only Indian cricketer who looked settled at the crease in the first T20I. Dhawan played a master-class knock of 76 runs from just 42 balls which included 10 fours and 2 sixes.
Dhawan's aggressive start at the top of the order will set the tone for the Indian middle-order batsmen to counter-attack Australian bowlers.
Rohit Sharma
Though Rohit Sharma failed to get going in the first T20, he could deliver the goods for the Indian team in the third T20I. Once set at the crease, Rohit Sharma is unstoppable at the placid pitches in Australia.