IND vs AUS, 2nd T20I: Preview, stats, and Fantasy XI
India and Australia face each other in the second T20I on Friday in Nagpur. The hosts are in a must-win situation after failing to defend a score of 208 in the first encounter. Rohit Sharma-led India will be wanting to improve their bowling, in particular. Death bowling continues to be a worry. For the Aussies, they need to get the basics right. Here's more.
Pitch report, timing and TV listing
The pitch will assist batters especially the side batting first. One can expect the surface to slow down a little as the match progresses. Ideally, the side batting first will look to get a desired total. The match will start at 7:00 PM IST. One can watch the match live on the Star Sports Network and stream the same on Hotstar (paid subscription).
Jasprit Bumrah likely to play second T20I
India's premier pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, is likely to play the second T20I against Australia. Bumrah, who was included in India's squad for the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup, missed the series opener. The 28-year-old was also ruled out of the Asia Cup due to a back injury. Bumrah is likely to replace senior pacer Umesh Yadav in the second T20I.
India seek a response with the ball
India will need a perfect response after being bullied with the ball by the Aussie batters towards the death. With Bumrah back, there will be some much needed respite. Bhuvneshwar Kumar can also bowl mainly in the PP overs. A lot will ride on Yuzvendra Chahal and Axar Patel as the spin options. Hardik Pandya as the 4th pacer needs to be spot on.
Australia are the favorites
After a solid win in the first game, Australia go into this tie as the favorites. With plenty of match winners and a deep batting line-up, the world champions will back themselves. Seeing Cameron Green open the innings is a breath of fresh air. With the ball, Josh Hazlewood is the main bet. He can set the tone for the Aussies.
Probable playing XI of both the sides
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma (captain), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal. Australia (Playing XI): Aaron Finch (captain), Cameron Green, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis, Tim David, Matthew Wade (wicket-keeper), Pat Cummins, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
Here is the head-to-head record
India and Australia last engaged in a T20I series in December 2020. The Men in Blue defeated Australia 2-1 Down Under, winning the first two games. India had won the one-off T20I against Australia at home in 2007 and 2013. The 2017 series was drawn, while Australia triumphed in 2019 (2-0). India have a win-loss record of 13-10 against Australia in T20Is (NR: 1).
Key records which can be registered
Aussie skipper Aaron Finch (462) can breach the 500-run mark against India in T20Is. Glenn Maxwell has smashed 99 sixes and is one shy of 100. Steve Smith has scored 963 runs and is 37 short of the 1,000-run mark. Hardik Pandya (955) can also race to 1,000 runs for India.
Dream11 Fantasy Cricket options
Dream11 Fantasy option 1: KL Rahul (vc), Cameron Green (c), Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Steve Smith, Matthew Wade, Axar Patel, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa, Jasprit Bumrah. Dream11 Fantasy option 2: KL Rahul, Cameron Green (c), Suryakumar Yadav (vc), Hardik Pandya, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade, Axar Patel, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah.
