After a high-flying finish in the 3rd ODI, where Team India handsomely registered their first win of the tour, the Men in Blue are set to begin the three T20I match series from today December 4th. The other 2 T20Is will be held on December 6th and 8th.
The second white ball series will be a tight knit contest as both teams will take on the field with renewed focus and motivation to turn the tide in their favor ahead of the all-important test matches.
Can India win the T20I series to level the competition?
India take on Australia in the opening game of a three-match T20I series at 1.40 pm IST today at Manuka Oval, Canberra.
Going into this series, there will be changes in the playing XI of both the teams. Marnus Labuschagne isn’t considered to be a T20 specialist and he will be replaced at the top. The right-handed batsman had opened the innings in the third ODI.
For India, Deepak Chahar is confirmed selection in the playing XI. He is likely to come in for Jasprit Bumrah, who is expected to be rested. Yuzvendra Chahal will also be back into the playing XI in place of Kuldeep Yadav, who isn’t part of the T20I squad. KL Rahul will open the innings with Shikhar Dhawan.
Form guide
Australia WLLWL (last five completed matches) India WT (won Super Over) T (won Super Over) WW
In 20 T20Is between the two countries it is 11-8 in favour of India although Australia won the previous series 2-0 in India.
The last time two teams locked horns in a T20I series in Australia, the series ended at 1-1. Two years before that, MS Dhoni-led India had whitewashed Australia 3-0.
Another late assault by Jadeja enabling a big finish for India. But, India will be worried about his hamstring. Let’s see if is able to take field in the 2nd innings.
An amazing impact innings from Jajdea, who slammed 44 off 23, has given India a defendable score at the Maneka Oval. 11 came from the final over. 34 came from the last two.
India take the opening game of the T20I series against Australia.
India defeats Australia by 11 runs in first T20I in Canberra to take 1-0 lead in three-match series.
Australia skipper Aaron Finch won the toss and opted to bowl. India posted a total of 161 runs for the loss of 7 wickets.
KL Rahul was the highest run-scorer, accumulating 51 runs off 40 deliveries. The wicketkeeper-batsman registered his 12th half-century in T20Is, during the course of the innings.
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was the second-highest run-getter, smashing 44 runs off 23 balls.
Moises Henriques was the pick of the bowlers for Australia taking 3 wickets while conceding 22 runs.
The chase started off an attacking note with Finch smashing the ball to all corners of the ground. However, the Australia skipper’s dismissal helped Team India make a comeback in the game.
Yuzvendra Chahal, who came in as a concussion substitute for Ravindra Jadeja made a decisive impact, accounting for Finch’s dismissal before sending back Steve Smith early.
Chahal received support from left-arm pacer T Natarajan who made his presence felt on debut.
The duo finished with 3 wickets apiece to help Team India register a win which seemed unlikely at one stage.
India produced a gutsy comeback to claim victory by 11 runs over Australia as Yuzvendra Chahal starred with the ball after coming into the game at the halfway point as a concussion substitute for Ravindra Jadeja who posted an unbeaten 44.
India take 1-0 lead after dramatic T20 opener | Dettol T20I Series 2020
India vs Australia, 1st T20I: Ravindra Jadeja breaks MS Dhoni’s unique record in T20Is
Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja on Friday surpassed former skipper MS Dhoni’s record of the highest score by an Indian batting at number 7 or below in the T20 Internationals during his handy 44-run knock against Australia in the first T20I.
Dhoni had scored 38 runs in just 18 balls against England at the Wankhede Stadium in 2012. Jadeja, who came out to bat at number 7 smashed 44 runs off just 23 balls. The innings included one six and five fours.
Jadeja came out to bat at a time when India had lost half its side for just 92 on a batting pitch with short boundaries. The southpaw gained momentum in the final overs and India managed to go past the 160 mark.
India are 1-0 up after an 11-run win in the first game.
Shardul Thakur, inducted in the T20I team after Jadega suffered concussion.
Finch joins David Warner (groin) and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis (side) on the injured list. With vice-captain Pat Cummins rested ahead of the India Test series, Smith along with Matthew Wade are the only possible choice to replace Finch as the captain.
Will Cricket Australia recall Steve Smith as captain?
Steve Smith was banned for two years from a leadership role in the Aussie team following the infamous “Sandpaper gate”, which was ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town.
