Ind looking for a turn-around while Aus looks to seal the series

In a three-match series, first match is always vital for two teams, and here Australia took the advantage by leading it by 1-0. The second T20I is scheduled on tomorrow (Friday, 23rd) at MCG, Melbourne. Australia won the vital first T20I by 4 Runs (D/L METHOD) and raising their spirit, whereas India are faced with the challenge of getting their combination right for the second T20I in Melbourne. While India have won their last seven bilateral T20I series, the four-run win in Brisbane was only Australia's sixth win in 23 internationals this year since the ball-tampering saga in March, three of which came against Zimbabwe and UAE. Although Australia find themselves a mighty task ahead of them if they are to stop India from making that a successive eighth. 

Tomorrow there is a possibility of rain, and the playing overs may be affected again! More than 70,000 spectators are expected at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and hence the weather might play a key part in the outcome of the match. According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), 3 to 10 mm rain is expected on Friday. “There’s a high chance (80%) of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon,” sbs.com.au quoted BoM as saying. Thereby the toss also becomes critical and whichever team wins the toss will look to chase.

In the last match, Shikhar Dhawan forging a lone battle there and got no help from the top order. Kohli's demotion of himself to No.4 to accommodate Rahul at 3 didn't pay dividends but may be an option for the longer run, if at all. Eventually, it came down to India needing 13 off the final over. But a stellar all-round effort from Marcus Stoinis, who first scored a 19-ball 33, and then picked up two wickets in the final over helped Australia seal the win. India should be bitterly disappointed as they let Australia get away with this one. They were given a sneak peek into what Hardik Pandya's absence costs them. They were wary of going in without an allrounder, so Krunal Pandya had to play. Besides that, Rahul's form will spur to the forefront of India's think-tank, who has not passed the 30-run mark in six games since his unbeaten century in Manchester against England. India's fielding, too, was a let-down in the opening T20I and the difference between the sides in the end. The lack of back-up bowling options hurt India too! India may do some changes on tomorrow. Tomorrow in MCG, which boasts of massive boundaries which effectively means batsmen will need to put in the extra effort to hit the spinners out of the park. Hence, Chahal and Washington Sundar could  make the cut in place of Khaleel Ahmed and Krunal Pandya respectively. Sundar having had proven himself with the new ball and can be used to negate Short's left-handed threat at the top. India should make the bold decision of playing three spinners. Kuldeep is now India's paramount bowler, if Chahal plays, he could offload kuldeep too! Although dropping Krunal after an off-night will diminish their batting. I think, KL Rahul should continue now that he has been shown faith in. Otherwise, Shreyas Iyer can be an option to bring more solidity in batting. And another important point is Indian skipper Virat Kohli must bat at no. 3 as he is the best batsman of the team. I didn't remember, if Ricky Ponting was sacrifice his no. 3 position for anyone on any odd day! Virat should learn this attitude.

The most positive thing for team India from the last match is, DK is now in supreme form. His 30(13) runs in first match was excellent. Pant should pull his weight up and should deliver at the right time. He got out last day because of the poor shot selection. Bhuvi and Bumrah also done well in bowling specially in powerplay.

If we talk about Australia, they are happy family now and there is no reason to make any change for tomorrow. They have power-packed batting line up, if one or two among them get the start and start their fireworks, then they will be on top of the game! Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis are in-form players and proved in the last match that they can change the momentum of the match with one or two overs! If Chahal plays, there will be a very interesting battle we can see between Maxwell and Chahal. In bowling department, except Andrew Tye all of the bowlers performed really well in the opening match, but he is also a match winner in T20Is. India should have been some homework against the 1st T20I MoM Adam Zampa.

X-FACTORS:

For INDIA:

• ROHIT SHARMA
• KULDEEP YADAV

For AUSTRALIA: 

• MARCUS STOINIS
• ADAM ZAMPA

Pitch and conditions:

Friday in Melbourne is expected to be cloudy with showers on and off. Don't rule out another shortened match.

The drop-in pitch is usually slightly slow with spongy bounce.

Last five completed games' Performences (most recent first):

Australia:  W L L L L


India:  L W W W W



Overall a exciting match is coming tomorrow at MCG. Can India turn around the table? I'm going with Team India. Who are you going with? Let's comment on our blog/ social media pages.

Stat Source : EspnCricInfo

Photo Source: Google

Writer: Bikiran Majumdar

Read here the 1st T20I Match Report: AUSTRALIA HOLDS THE NERVE AND CLINCHED THE VICTORY IN A NAIL-BITING MATCH AT GABBA

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