AUS vs IND: Predicting Australia's playing XI for the second T20I

Australia’s opener in Canberra never reached a finish as the rain stopped play after 9.4 overs with India 97/1, but the truncated contest still left a clear template for what Australia might pick for the second T20I. Given the balance shown on the field and the bench options available, expect Australia to favour continuity unless the pitch or toss forces a tactical tweak.

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Canberra saw Australia bowl a balanced attack in Josh Hazlewood, Xavier Bartlett and Nathan Ellis leading the seam effort, with Matthew Kuhnemann providing the spin option. Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Owen and skipper Mitchell Marsh are the lot of all-rounders available to provide the much-needed balance to the team. They provide quality batting as well as bowling options.

All of the names featured in the match-day eleven list at Manuka Oval, and the bench (Matthew Short, Sean Abbott, Tanveer Sangha, Ben Dwarshuis), give Australia clear like-for-like replacements if conditions demand change. Expect the core eleven to be retained unless the toss and pitch at the second venue point towards more swing, where Sean Abbott or a different seamer might be preferred.

Marsh’s captaincy and middle-order versatility, paired with Head’s left-handed aggression and Inglis’s wicketkeeping-batting balance, define Australia’s approach in the powerplay. Continuity here stabilises the batting plan.

Tim David is the obvious finisher and game-changer, with Philippe and Stoinis providing depth and different angles to the batting line-up. This is a mix of improvisation and finishing touches that Australia will rely on if they chase.

With only a partial game played, there’s little evidence to justify chopping and changing the XI. Unless the toss and pitch force a rethink, Australia should back the combination they took to the field at Manuka Oval, as it gives them clear roles and the flexibility to adapt through the middle and the death overs.

Probable Playing XI: Mitchell Marsh (C), Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Tim David, Mitchell Owen, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Philippe, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Josh Hazlewood.

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