India after a listless performance with the bat in the opening Twenty20 International at Vizag, would be hoping to turn things around, when they take on Australia in the second and final T-20 international at Bangalore on Wednesday.
The Men in Blue rested opener Shikhar Dhawan and gave a chance to Lokesh Rahul, who made good use of the opportunity by scoring 50 off 36 balls in his comeback game.
Indian vice captain Rohit Sharma who has looked out of sorts is likely to be rested. Apart from Rahul, Virat Kohli and Mahendra Singh Dhoni none of the other batsman got into the groove at Vizag.
Dashing batsman Rishabh Pant who was involved in a mix up with the 26 year old right handed Karnataka batsman would be hoping to make amends at Bangalore. Dinesh Karthik who is not part of the ODI set up will have one last game to make a significant contribution before the World Cup.
Siddarth Kaul is likely to come in place of Umesh Yadav who had a poor final over.The 28 year old Kaul who is also in the one day squad is likely to get a long rope. Jasprit Bumrah after being rested for the New Zealand series bowled superbly on his comeback by claiming 3 wickets but failed to get support from his other bowlers.
Vijay Shankar after a fine performance with the bat in New Zealand, was surprisingly left out of the Vishakapatnam game could get an opportunity at the expense of Karthik or Pant. Former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni struggled his way during his unbeaten knock of 29 off 37 balls.
Mayank Markande on his debut game had a decent outing.
The visitors are likely to go in with an unchanged XI. Aaron Finch’s poor form with the bat will be major cause of concern for the Aussies, but he will be hoping to overcome it very soon. Marcus Stoinis who was promoted to open the innings is likely to get the same role.
Glenn Maxwell who played a match winning knock at Vizag would be looking to replicate the same performance.
In the bowling department, Australia are likely to stick with the combination of Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Jhye Richardson and Jason Behrendorff respectively.
India Likely XI
KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma/Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (capt), Rishabh Pant/Vijay Shankar, MS Dhoni (wk), Dinesh Karthik, Krunal Pandya, Umesh Yadav/Siddarth Kaul, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mayank Markande & Jasprit Bumrah
Australia Likely XI
Marcus Stoinis, D’Arcy Short,Aaron Finch (capt), Glenn Maxwell, Peter Handscomb (wk), Ashton Turner, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Jhye Richardson, Jason Behrendorff & Adam Zampa