Australia and India will meet again for a short ODI and T20I series a few weeks after the two sides clashed Down Under. India had managed to tie the T20Is 1-1, with the rain washing out the third encounter, and though the side lost the series to New Zealand, they head into the two T20Is as favourites. Team India will be buoyed by the return of Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah —both rested for the series against New Zealand—and the home advantage is sure to work in their favour as well.
A number of changes have been made to the Indian unit, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Kuldeep Yadav being rested ahead of what will be a crucial season ahead. In their absence, players like Mayank Markande will have an opportunity to make a mark. The spinner has impressed in the IPL and will be eager to latch on to his chances. Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of the T20I and ODI series after a back injury crept up, while KL Rahul, who missed the tour to New Zealand due to his unsavoury comments on a TV show stages a comeback.
For the visitors, they will be without Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, who are recuperating from injuries. However, they have adequate quality in their line-up with stars like Marcus Stoinis, Kane Richardson and Aaron Finch all capable of tilting the game in their side's favour. However, they have been inconsistent as a unit in the last year or so,
Australia and India will meet again for a short ODI and T20I series a few weeks after the two sides clashed Down Under. India had managed to tie the T20Is 1-1, with the rain washing out the third encounter, and though the side lost the series to New Zealand, they head into the two T20Is as favourites. Team India will be buoyed by the return of Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah —both rested for the series against New Zealand—and the home advantage is sure to work in their favour as well.
A number of changes have been made to the Indian unit, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Kuldeep Yadav being rested ahead of what will be a crucial season ahead. In their absence, players like Mayank Markande will have an opportunity to make a mark. The spinner has impressed in the IPL and will be eager to latch on to his chances. Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of the T20I and ODI series after a back injury crept up, while KL Rahul, who missed the tour to New Zealand due to his unsavoury comments on a TV show stages a comeback.
For the visitors, they will be without Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, who are recuperating from injuries. However, they have adequate quality in their line-up with stars like Marcus Stoinis, Kane Richardson and Aaron Finch all capable of tilting the game in their side's favour. However, they have been inconsistent as a unit in the last year or so, and with India in raring form at the moment, it will be tough to upstage Kohli's boys.
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Wicket-keeper: Alex Carey (8 credits)
The return of Virat Kohli in the Indian set-up means that Dhoni is unlikely to get enough deliveries to make a substantial mark in the match. With the former Indian skipper struggling in the format as well, it is safer to pick Alex Carey, who can score some quickfire runs if the need arises.
Batsman: Rohit Sharma (10 credits)
There is no dangerous batter in the format than Rohit Sharma, especially in Indian conditions. The Indian opener did not exactly set the stage on fire in New Zealand and will be eager to get back to form in familiar territory. Rohit is a powerful hitter of the ball especially in the first six overs, and with the Aussie bowlers lacking experience of playing in India, he could tuse it to his advantage and provide a launch-pad for the rest of the batters.
All-rounder: Glenn Maxwell (9 credits)
Though the all-rounder's woes against spin are well documented, he gets a look-in due to his bowling. The all-rounder has massively improved his off-break bowling, which can be quite handy in Indian conditions. Also with the Indian middle order looking iffy, Maxwell can be counted upon to pick up some wickets towards the end of the innings. He is also a decent striker of the ball and on his day, it becomes tough to stop him.
Bowler: Jasprit Bumrah (9.5 credits)
If there is one bowler who can be banked upon to pick wickets and bowl economically match-after-match in the current era, it undoubtedly is Bumrah. With his uncanny action and deceptive bowling, Bumrah has made a name for himself as one of the most dreaded bowlers around. He is staging a comeback into the national team after being given some much needed rest for the ODIs in Australia and the tour to New Zealand that followed. With the Aussie top-order still relatively untested and inexperienced in Indian conditions, they could find Bumrah's bowling hard to navigate.
Captain: Rohit Sharma
Vice-captain: Jasprit Bumrah
