India beat Australia in a mildly controversial manner in the series opener after Yuzvendra Chahal took three wickets having replaced Ravindra Jadeja as a concussion substitute.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Australia couldn’t hit their straps as they fielded a team bearing only a passing resemblance to the XIs that secured the ODI series.
Australia vs India | Sunday 6 December 2020 | Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney | 10:10
To Win Match
Australia 82/100
Tie 25/1
India 21/20
Australia
The hosts have opted to rest David Warner for this series and missed his top-order stability in their opening match.
Australia found out the hard way that India have more batting depth than they might have reckoned, letting the tourists off the hook after getting among the wickets early.
All-rounder Moises Henriques was the surprise pick of the bowlers with his craft and guile on display. Australia should persist with their fine balance of youth and experience which only just fell short in the opening exchanges of the three-match T20I series.
They will need to find a way to build partnerships and have a batsman hold down an end if they are to best a well-drilled India outfit.
Of particular concern for Australia will be the finishing as they ran out of established batsmen towards the back-end of the innings. This could be remedied by pushing Glenn Maxwell further down the order.
India
India won the first match, but the standard of fielding will be a great concern for skipper Virat Kohli as his team put down a number of catches offered up by both Australian openers.
They will be without spin-bowling all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja for the remainder of the series after he was assessed to have been concussed by a blow to the head.
India may have sacrifice depth in batting to allow concussion substitute and first T20I hero Chahal to move into the starting XI as they already fielded all three all-rounders in their squad in the opening game.
Alternatively, India could bring in Navdeep Saini as an extra paceman, considering it would be unfair for T Natarajan to sit out after an excellent debut.
Kohli’s form is a slight concern for India, but it would be very surprising if his dry spell continues for very long.
Verdict: Australia 82/100
Australia should bounce back with a strong showing in Sydney.
Written by James Richardson.
