AUS VS IND 2ND T20I

It has been a damp start to the five-match T20I series, but hopes are high for clearer skies as the action shifts to Melbourne for the second T20I between Australia and India. The opening ODI of the tour was also affected by rain, though we at least got a result there, unlike in Canberra, where the weather had the final say. There is a bit of rain forecast during the day, but conditions are expected to improve by match time. It is set to be a special evening at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground in front of a sell-out crowd. Only 9.4 overs were possible in the series opener, where Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav both got starts before rain returned to wash out play. From an Indian perspective, Suryakumar, who has been short on runs in T20Is of late, getting among the runs was perhaps the biggest positive to take away from the shortened game. Gill, too, will be pleased to have found some rhythm after a quiet ODI series. India went in with three spinners for the first match, with Jasprit Bumrah and Harshit Rana leading the pace attack. With the big boundaries at the MCG, the spin trio of Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Kuldeep Yadav is expected to pose a stiff challenge to the home side. On the other hand, there wasn’t much to assess about Australia’s bowling given the limited play. Josh Hazlewood will feature in his final game of the series before he shifts focus to his Ashes preparations, and he will be eager to make one last impact. Adam Zampa was expected to miss the start of the series due to personal reasons, and it remains to be seen when he rejoins the squad. Matthew Short missed the opening game due to a finger injury he picked up during the ODI leg, which required surgery. His absence opened the door for Josh Philippe, who will be eager to make the most of the opportunity presented to him. However, Philippe may have only a short window to impress, with Glenn Maxwell expected to join the squad ahead of the third T20I. This will be the first T20I fixture at the iconic MCG since the 2022 T20 World Cup final. The last two meetings between these sides at this venue have gone India’s way, while Australia have had mixed fortunes here, winning three and losing three of their last six outings. Who will take the honours this time under the Melbourne lights?