India aim for improved performance in T20I series

Revitalised India take on Australia in the first of the three-match T20 series at the Manuka Oval tomorrow. Virat Kohli-led side will be pleased to end the well-fought ODI series on a good note, beating Australia by 13 runs in Canberra on Wednesday. The win holds them in good stead ahead of the first T20, starting from December 3.  With Washington Sundar, T Natarajan, Mohammed Shami and Y Chahal likely to assist Bumrah in the first fixture, the bowling department sports a balanced look. India's openers, Shikhar Dhawan and Mayank Agarwal will want to give the team a flying start. Virat Kohli, who has a tremendous track record against the Kangaroos on Australia soil, will be looking to continue his form. The Aussies should well be wary of the in-form Hardik Pandya for the right reasons. The Baroda all-rounder was at his impeccable best in ODIs - returning as the highest run-scorer for India. 

The Aussies, on the other hand, won't be possessing the strongest T20 team for the series. The absence of David Warner, who suffered a groin injury in the 2nd ODI, comes as a huge setback for the hosts. The onus will rest on the shoulders of the skipper, Aaron Finch, to do the bulk of the scoring. As far as the middle order is concerned, Glenn Maxwell's scintillating form augurs well for the team going into the series. The Victorian batsman found his footing in the recently concluded ODI series, scoring 167 runs in 3 matches. On the bowling front, Mitchell Starc's inability to fetch wickets in the last few games is among the few worries for Australia The prolific left-arm pacer managed to pick just a solitary wicket in two matches. 

All in all, a cracker of a contest would be in the offing at the Manuka Oval on Friday. 

Players to Watch out 

Aaron Finch 

The Aussie skipper was in ominous form throughout the ODI series, amassing 249 runs at a staggering average of 83 in just three matches. With the absence of David Warner at the top, a major amount of onus will be on the shoulders of Aaron Finch. The hosts will be hoping that he continues the purple patch in the three-match T20 series as well.

Virat Kohli 

It is no doubt that Virat Kohli has asserted undeniable dominance against the Aussies in their own backyard, particularly in the T20 format. Out of the 8 T20 innings he has played on Australian soil, the talismanic batsman has scored 317 runs at an average of 79.2. The numbers speak for themselves. Doesn't it? The skipper would indefinitely be key for India's fortunes against Australia in the three-match T20 series. 

Hardik Pandya

After a lukewarm Dream11 IPL campaign, Hardik Pandya stormed his way back to form against Australia in the ODI series. It wasn't all about the lusty blows this time. The all-rounder, with his mature approach, successfully adapted to different situations. His mature outing in the ODI series signalled his coming of age. A game-changer of the truest sense, Hardik Pandya will be a vital component of India's lower middle order in the T20Is. 

Match Details

Date: 3 December 

Venue: Manuka Oval, Canberra 

Time: 1:40 PM [IST]

Squads

India: Virat Kohli (C), Shikhar Dhawan, Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul (vice-captain & wk), Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya, Sanju Samson, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Navdeep Saini, Deepak Chahar, T Natarajan

Australia: Aaron Finch (C), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Daniel Sams, D'Arcy Short, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa.