After a disappointing run in the Asia Cup, India will take on Australia in the first T20I at Mohali on Tuesday to continue their preparation for the T20 World Cup. The hosts will look to tick the right boxes against the Aussies, which they had failed to do so in the Asia Cup.
Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel will return to playing XI and it will be a major boost for the team. Both of these pacers will hold the key in the death overs.
On the other hand, Australia will also look to come up with a collective effort. The visitors have rested David Warner and they will also miss the services of players like Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, and Mitchell Marsh.
Steve Smith scored 167 runs in three ODIs against New Zealand and he will look to continue the good show for the tourists whereas Aaron Finch will look to get back into form to lead from the front.
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli had scored 276 runs in five matches in the Asia Cup and his return to form is a shot in the arm for the team. Kohli is going to hold the key while KL Rahul will also look to get back at his best. Furthermore, it will be interesting to note India’s batting combination for the three-match series.
Match Prediction: India will start favorites against an inexperienced Australian team in their own conditions.
India Squad for Australia T20Is:
Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul (vc), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dinesh Karthik (wk), Hardik Pandya, R. Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Harshal Patel, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah.
Australia squad for India T20I series:
Aaron Finch (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Daniel Sams, Steve Smith, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa.
