After losing the first T20I at Visakhapatnam, Team India look to bounce back as they will lock horns with Australia in the second T20I at the M. Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday, February 27. The hosts who were hoping to find some much-needed balance in their squad before the World Cup are far from achieving it. With time running out, the Indian team will be keen to make a few changes in the squad as they face a confident Australia on Wednesday.
The result of the first T20I was not only unexpected but also looked a little risky as the team management rested some of their seasoned players to look at options for the World Cup. While some grabbed the opportunity and impressed in Vizag, others were a bit disappointing and eventually cost India the match.
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It is safe to say that KL Rahul took full use of the opportunity as he replaced Shikhar Dhawan in the playing XI and was the pick among the Indian batsman on Sunday. In what was a low-scoring game, Rahul tackled the Aussie bowlers well and made sure, India didn’t suffer a batting collapse. India is likely to go with this combination for the rest of the series.
Although India’s batsmen didn’t really click against Australia in Vizag, it is unlikely that they would want to disturb this batting order. Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, MS Dhoni and Dinesh Karthik form a really strong batting attack and hopefully should see them really get into the groove on Wednesday. If the Indian team were to make a change, it could be all-rounder Krunal Pandya.
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The Indian bowlers had a good day in the first T20I on Sunday. Defending a low target, India’s bowling department led by the returning Jasprit Bumrah was spot on until the final over. Picking up seven wickets, the bowlers kept the Aussies on their toes. Australia needed 14 runs off the final over. Umesh Yadav’s lackluster bowling at the end cost India the match and could cost him a place in the 2nd T20I. He should be replaced by Siddarth Kaul.
Predicted XI of India for the 2nd T20I:
Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli (c) , Rishabh Pant, MS Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik, Krunal Pandya , Mayank Markande, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Siddarth Kaul.
