India vs Australia 2nd T20 Match Prediction

IND Team News

Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of the series through injury, with the hosts electing not to bring in a replacement for the T20 matches. With Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Kuldeep Yadav already being rested, Mayank Markande made his debut last time out but he could be replaced by Siddarth Kaul if a more seam-friendly track is prepared. The hosts could decide to rest Rohit Sharma for this game and bring in Shikhar Dhawan instead. Dinesh Karthik could also be dropped for Vijay Shankar who would also provide the team with a sixth bowling option.

Captain Virat Kohili and opening bowler Jasprit Bumrah are both back in the Indian squad after being rested, but Bhuvneshwar Kumar will miss the start of the series as he is handed a break. KL Rahul is back in international contention after his recent ban for comments he made on TV, while Mayank Markande is in the squad as back-up spinner – Kuldeep Yadav is being rested. Vijay Shankar looks set to continue after impressing since coming into the team earlier this year.

IND Key Players

Virat Kohli hit a modest 24 from 17 balls last time out but there is no question his return significantly strengthens the Indian batting line-up. He hit a series-levelling unbeaten half-century when the teams met in Australia in November and will hope for a repeat.

KL Rahul returned ahead of Shikhar Dhawan for the first match and responded with a half-century, meanwhile. Rohit Sharma opens the batting and he will be keen to add to his 53 T20 half-centuries and six T20 hundreds when he makes his 300th appearance in the format.

With the ball, Jasprit Bumrah returned from his break and was straight back to his best – claiming 3-16 to move past 50 wickets in the format in his 41st T20 international. He also boasts a brilliant economy rate.

Yuzvendra Chahal took 1-28 last time out and he could find some assistance in the Bangalore wicket as he closes in on 50 T20 international wickets in his 31st appearance.

IND Team Form

India are faltering in the T20 format, having won just two of their last six completed matches. The bad run started in a rain-altered 17-over match with Australia when they first met in November, as India lost by five runs.

Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 61, after Krunal Pandya’s four-wicket haul, ensured they levelled the series, however.

India then travelled to New Zealand but suffered their first T20 series defeat in nine as they lost 2-1 overall. In the first game, New Zealand posted 219/6 and India were dismissed for 139 in reply. Pandya took 3-28 and Rohit Sharma hit a half-century as India chased 159 to hit back with a seven-wicket win, but New Zealand claimed the series after setting India 213 to win. They fell to a four-run defeat.