This preview has expired. See all the latest Betting sites

Australia vs India 3rd T20 Preview: India gun for 3-0 series whitewash

By Sridhar Bhamidi

07 Dec 2020

Sridhar Bhamidi 07 Dec 2020

Share this article

Australia and India clash in the final T20 on Tuesday
India have already won the series 2-0
Australia have lost all three T20Is at this venue against India
India are unbeaten in their last eight away T20Is.

Hardik Pandya of India bats against Australia (Getty Images)

As Australia continue to fight the injury concerns to key players, India have silently annexed the T20I series 2-0. The teams play the white-ball series finale at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday with a whitewash looming for the hosts.

After losing the ODIs 2-1, India will be elated at how they bounced back to stay in the hunt for more tour honours. They will be gunning for a win here as a 3-0 scoreline would give immense confidence for the upcoming Test series.

Australia Form

Injuries aside, Australia struggled to get their batsmen fire consistently. Matthew Wade, who made a dazzling 50 in the second T20I, is their top-scorer with 65 runs. Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell haven’t really got into top gear for this series and that has hurt their final scores.

Bowling has been a mixed bag, with the recalled Mitch Swepson (two wickets, ER 7.66) and the wily Adam Zampa (two wickets, ER 7.00) leading the charge. Australia will be hoping that their T20 specialists can pitch in with improved performances.

Australia News

There is an outside chance that Aaron Finch is available for this match. That could mean bench duties for D’Arcy Short. Steve Smith may also get a break to rest before the Test series, while the bowlers should keep their spots from the second T20I.

India Form

Hardik Pandya played a belligerent knock in the second match to push over the line. His impressive SR (156.75) makes up for his bowling absence, while KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan will hope to keep scoring runs.

The impressive T Natarajan, who has mixed his stock of deliveries really well, has been India’s best bet with the ball. Yuzvendra Chahal continues to deliver performances that are either too good or too poor.

India News

India have no reason to risk the fitness of top players as the upcoming Test series looms as the more fancied one. Manish Pandey should be available for selection, but Shreyas Iyer should hold his spot. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami should get extended break and Shardul Thakur will get another chance to impress.

Australia vs India Head to Head

Australia’s record against India is now 3-7. Worryingly enough, Sunday’s loss meant Australia have now lost three of their seven T20Is at this venue, but all three losses have come against India.

Australia vs India Match Up

Despite the lack of genuine all-round players, India have packed a punch with their limited resources. While the likes of Hardik Pandya and Shikhar Dhawan have been consistent with the bat, the left-arm wily seamer T Natarajan has emerged as India’s best bet.

Australia vs India Stats

Australia have lost all three T20Is at this venue against India.
India are unbeaten in their last eight away T20Is.
India have won each of their last nine T20Is when they were chasing.
The chasing side has won each of the last five T20Is at this venue.
Australia have averaged 56 in their powerplays while India have averaged 51 during this series.

Prediction

A rare white-wash in the T20Is looms ahead as a possibility – if India can continue with their winning momentum. All eyes will be on how Australia can bounce back – especially with the Test series not far away.

The hosts, however, are fighting a lot of injury concerns and that weakens their chances further. It is advantage India on that count but Australia should start this match on the front foot and score more runs in the powerplay overs.