India and Australia will clash in the second T20I of the three-match series on September 23, 2022, at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Jamtha, Nagpur. Australia leads the series 1-0 after their emphatic victory in the first match in Mohali.
While Indian batting clicked in the first T20I, as they hammered 208/6, the weakness in their bowling unit was exposed as its two pacers went for 101 runs in 8 overs combined, and in the end, India lost the match by 4 wickets.
With some changes expected in this match to avoid a series loss to the Kangaroos, check out the Team COC predicted Team India playing XI for the second T20I.
The Indian batting has stuck to its aggressive from the start approach and while it has not come off multiple times, it has benefitted in laying some platform for the middle order to launch. Rohit Sharma will be in focus as he has scored only 2 half-centuries in his last 9 T20Is and is due for a big score.
KL Rahul scored a fifty in Mohali and looked good for more before getting out. Virat Kohli will need to show that his recent T20I century was a sign that he has regained his form back and can take time to get settled in before going after the bowling.
Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya were the main catalysts for India’s big score and the team management might think of sending Dinesh Karthik a bit higher instead of sticking to sending him after the 15-16th over as he has the tag of a finisher.
Akshar Patel was amazing with the ball and can come in handy with the bat as well in the right circumstances. Yuzvendra Chahal was also listless for the most part and he will also like to get some wickets in the kitty to boost confidence.
However, expect changes in the bowling department as it was a disaster last match. Much better will be expected from Harshal Patel and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who were out of their elements in Mohali.
Harshal can be excused as he was coming back from an injury, but Bhuvneshwar needs to bring all of his experience into play here to regain form, as he continues to hemorrhage runs in death overs.
India might be boosted as reports have said that Jasprit Bumrah is expected to be back in the XI, and probably in place of Umesh Yadav. If Bumrah comes in, Umesh might have to sit on the bench on his home ground.
The Men in Blue needs to win this match to ensure the series stays alive.
COC Predicted Team India playing XI:
Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul (VC), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Akshar Patel, Harshal Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal
