Published: Nov 23, 2018, 11:58 AM (IST)
Edited: Nov 23, 2018, 11:58 AM (IST)
Throwing all pre-game predictions out of the window, Australia got the better of Virat Kohli’s Indian cricket team in the first T20I at the Gabba on Wednesday. In a rain-truncated affair, the home team was boosted by some impressive performances as they recorded an important win against higher-ranked India – which was a wake-up call for the visitors who are chasing their eighth consecutive bilateral T20I series.
WATCH: Plenty to ponder as India aim to keep series alive
Now the teams meet at the MCG on Friday where a sold-out stadium awaits in anticipation of another high-octane T20I.
India clean swept a three-match bilateral T20I series last time in Australia. However, this time, despite the pre-series hype, they have been jolted early and will have to work on several fronts including a settling on a combination to give them an edge.
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Predicted playing 11 for India
India benched their top-ranked T20I bowler, Yuzvendra Chahal, in Brisbane. On another huge ground, India could bring him back and drop left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed for a three-prong spin attack. Kohli should also move to the No. 3 spot.
India likely XI: 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 Shikhar Dhawan, 3 Virat Kohli (capt), 3 KL Rahul, 5 Rishabh Pant, 6 Dinesh Karthik (wk), 7 Krunal Pandya, 8 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Khaleel Ahmed
Predicted playing 11 for Australia
A much-needed win means that Australia would be unwilling to tinker with a winning combination.
Australia likely XI: 1 Aaron Finch (capt), 2 D’Arcy Short, 3 Chris Lynn, 4 Glenn Maxwell, 5 Marcus Stoinis, 6 Ben McDermott, 7 Alex Carey (wk), 8 Andrew Tye, 9 Adam Zampa, 10 Jason Behrendorff, 11 Billy Stanlake
India vs Australia 2nd T20I prediction
Australia have the advantage. India need a win. There is rain in Melbourne. We could be in for another truncated game. The team with better skills in a shoot-out will emerge on top, which tilts the scales in favour of Australia who just came out of a jam in Brisbane.
How to watch India vs Australia 2nd T20I
The India vs Australia series will be telecast live on the Sony Sports Network. Additionally, viewers can stream the match on SonyLIV.
