Following two nearly flawless batting displays, the new-look Indian T20I team aims to maintain its dominance against Australia in the third match of the series in Guwahati. The traditionally batting-friendly pitch at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium promises more runs.
Australia, on the other hand, will seek to regain momentum and secure a victory to stay alive in the five-match series. Both teams enter this game with significant stakes.
India, following their record-breaking chase of 209 in the first T20I, showcased another formidable batting performance in the second game, posting 235 batting first.
Almost every batter contributed to this giant total. The top-three of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan cracked half-centuries. It was Kishan’s second successive fifty-plus knock after having warmed the bench for most of the World Cup. Captain Suryakumar Yadav had played a match-winning innings in the first game.
Rinku Singh, delivering two exceptional rear-guard efforts, has become the designated finisher in this format. His performances are gradually securing a permanent No. 6 slot for him, which is a crucial development ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup.
However, Tilak Varma, who has been a consistent presence in the XI in the last 12 T20Is, finds himself in a challenging position at No. 5. He lasted just 12 deliveries in the first two games. It remains to be seen if Suryakumar considers adjusting his batting position, possibly allowing Tilak to face more deliveries and accumulate runs before the fourth game in Raipur, where Shreyas Iyer is expected to return.
In bowling, there was a noticeable improvement from India in the second match compared to the first. Axar Patel continued to be economical, while Ravi Bishnoi made crucial breakthroughs. Prasidh Krishna bounced back from a difficult start to finish with respectable figures.
Buoyed by their strong performance, India are likely to enter the third match with confidence, potentially sticking to the existing line-up without any changes.
Australia struggled to put up an all-round show in the last two matches, prompting consideration for the return of Travis Head. Marcus Stoinis, Tim David and Matthew Wade displayed aggressive performances in the middle-order. Head might make his way into the XI replacing Matthew Short in Guwahati.
Australia’s bowling has so far been overpowered by India. Spinners Adam Zampa and Tanveer Sangha were the only bowlers with decent figures, conceding eight runs per over. Others have gone for 10 or more. Sean Abbott has had two indifferent outings and could be in line for a replacement.
In knockout matches, Australia typically produce their best. This is a knockout game for them. Expect them to come out hard.
Time and venue details
India vs Australia. Third T20I. 7 PM. ACA Stadium in Guwahati.
Expected conditions
There is no forecast of rain. However, there is a possibility of dew. The ground is relatively small. The pitch is usually favourable for batting.
Possible XIs
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Prasidh Krishna.
Australia: Steven Smith, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade (c & wk), Nathan Ellis, Jason Behrendorff, Adam Zampa, Tanveer Sangha.
Match-up
Inglis vs Bishnoi: Inglis, who dominated Bishnoi in the first game, was dismissed early by the leg-spinner in the second. While Inglis has smashed 50 runs off 17 balls against Bishnoi, he has also been dismissed twice by him.
Match speak
We were planning about tackling dew even in Vizag. Luckily, we didn’t really have to do much. This is a part of the game while we are playing in India. As a bowling unit, we need to learn to tackle it. It’s really difficult, but that’s the game and we need to adapt to it.
Prasidh Krishna, India pacer
One of the key pillars of our game is intent. And you couldn’t fault that throughout the innings. Will there be mistakes made? Of course. But if we’re making mistakes with good intent, good decisions, good plans, and if the execution doesn’t go right, well, we’re happy to accept that.
Andre Borovec, Australia’s stand-in head coach