Australia vs India: 1st T20I - Australia Predicted XI

The great Australian summer challenge arrives once in every four years for the Indians, but things are going to be very different for them this time when this intricate tour will kick-start with a T20I game in Brisbane. Australia have looked vulnerable in every format due to the loss of David Warner and Steve Smith and the Indian contingent is keen to pounce on this great chance.

For the first time in the history, India will be playing a T20I game in Australia without MS Dhoni in the squad. Dinesh Karthik might continue to keep wickets with a brilliant backup option available in Rishabh Pant. 31-year-old Rohit Sharma will look to strengthen his T20I tally and needs 65 runs to overtake Martin Guptill as the all-time highest run-scorer in the format.

As the great Shane Warne confessed a couple of days ago, India land Down Under for the first time in history as favourites and not many can argue about that. Although form is in India’s favour, none can disregard Men in Blue’s history in the Kangaroo lands and it will be interesting to see if they can defy the stereotypes. In our article, we take a look at Australia’s predicted XI for the Brisbane match.

Openers (Aaron Finch, Chris Lynn)

Two very explosive cricketers who possess the quality to crucify any bowling unit, Aaron Finch and Chris Lynn will have to be at their best for the hosts to throw a fight to Kohli’s troops. If their performance against South Africa was any indicator, then the coming times are going to be very complex for these two gentlemen.

Lynn hasn’t played a big inning in international cricket for quite a while. He has failed to replicate his franchise cricket form, but still, he has the ability to hit the cherry cleaner than anyone else. Aaron Finch might be a bit cautious at the beginning, but the Indians will have to ensure he doesn’t get into his groove for their own betterment.

Middle Order (D’Arcy Short, Ben McDermott, Alex Carey)

The middle order will comprise of a bunch of under-performing youngsters who are still desperate to prove themselves at this level. D’Arcy Short’s sensational 2017/18 Big Bash season can never be forgotten and for the southpaw to save his place, he has to fire as quickly as possible.

Ben McDermott and Alex Carey are the other middle order batters who will be keen to score big. Carey, apart from playing a decent second fiddle knock in the final ODI against South Africa, has been underwhelming for the Kangaroos. This certainly is one of the most vulnerable middle orders going by current form, but they do have the ability to post a humongous total.

All-rounders (Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis)

Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis have had some great moments in their career thus far, but their best is yet to come. Skipper and team management are certain that they will bring their best to the table sooner rather than later and once that happens, this team will be a force to reckon with.

If a flat deck is on offering on Wednesday, both these cricketers will have a feast with the bat and a famine with the ball. Stoinis has not done considerably well on tracks which don’t offer anything to the bowlers, but he still is a canny bowler who can trouble the batsmen with his variations.

Bowlers (Adam Zampa, Jason Behrendorff, Andrew Tye, Billy Stanlake)

Adam Zampa will be their key man in the lineup as the leg-spinner will be under deep scanning in the Indian dressing room. If he can pull out something brilliant from his wrists and get some big wickets, the Aussies will be on top. He will be accompanied by three talented fast bowlers.

Billy Stanlake and Andrew Tye have done tremendously well in this year’s IPL and the duo will now have to do the same against the international outfit. Jason Behrendorff provides a different bowling option for Finch and since he is the least known among all these bowlers, he might be the X-factor for the slightly crumbled Aussie pack.

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