India, who lost the five-match ODI series 1-4 against Australia, will be keen to turn the tables in the three-match T20 series, which starts on Tuesday at the Adeliade Oval. Australia, on the other hand, will be keen to assert their dominance over India at home, where they are a tough team to beat.
With an array of stars in both teams, the series promises to be an entertaining one. India, who have always possessed a strong batting line up, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina amd MS Dhoni, need to be on top of their game. If these batsmen get going in the T20 series, there are very few bowlers in world cricket who can stop them from scoring big runs.
Yuvraj Singh, who is making a comeback into the India team, will be eager to impress and cement his place in the side with some clinical performances with the bat. Yuvraj is not short of talent, but it remains to be seen if he regains his magic touch with the bat.
Meanwhile, India's bowling, which was a major concern in the ODI series, should get a much-needed lift with experienced stars such as Ashish Nehra and Harbhajan Singh in the T20 squad. These bowlers must be well supported by other seamers such as Jasprit Bumrah, who impressed in the fifth ODI in Sydney.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been ruled out of the T20 series with a fractured left thumb and will be replaced by Rishi Dhawan.
There is no short of class players in the Australian ranks as well. They have an incredible batting line-up, which consisting of Aaron Finch, who will lead the side, David Warner, Glen Maxwell (who will miss the first T20) and Steve Smith. All these players have shown what they are capable of during the ODI series, and will be keen to come up with a repeat performance in the T20 series.
Australia, who lacked some quality pace in the ODI series, have included Shaun Tait, who will be keen to put up a show of his electrifying pace and scare the India batsmen. With Tait in the house, one can expect some chin music. Tait will be supported well by Kane Richardson and John Hastings, who have been impressive in the ODI series.
Australia, who defeated India in the ODI series with relative ease, should be a confident side, while the visitors' confidence have also sprung up after their terrific win in the final ODI in Sydney.
The three-match T20 series will hold utmost importance as the competition also acts as the perfect preparation for both teams ahead of the World T20 title in India. A series win will keep them in good stead ahead of the crucial ICC event.
T20I squads
India: MS Dhoni (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Jasprit Bumrah , Umesh Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rishi Dhawan and Ashish Nehra
Australia: Aaron Finch (Captain), Scott Boland, Cameron Boyce, James Faulkner, John Hastings, Travis Head, Nathan Lyon, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Shaun Tait, Andrew Tye, Matthew Wade, David Warner and Shane Watson.
