LIVE: Australia and India face off tonight (midnight AEST) in the first of a crucial three-match T20 series as both sides prepare for the looming T20 World Cup.
Australia has played just nine T20Is since the 2021 T20I World Cup, compared to India’s 29 in that time. This series should provide valuable experience – and hopefully form – as the Aussies prepare to defend their title on home soil.
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While David Warner’s absence heaps pressure on fellow opener Aaron Finch, the Aussies are likely to throw Tim David into the mix for the opening clash in the subcontinent, which comes on the back of a solid ODI series win over New Zealand.
Finch retired from the 50-over format after a recent form slump, averaging just 12.42 this year in ODIs. But the 35-year-old will be desperate to bank some runs ahead of the 20-over World Cup, which begins for Australia on October 22 at the SCG against NZ.
Despite his recent ODI woes, the Victorian is Australia’s greatest run-scorer in T20I history, racking up 2855 runs at 35.24 and a strike rate of 145.29.
Besides the absent David Warner, Australia have also left Marcus Stoinis and Mitch Marsh at home, while Mitchell Starc will be rested from the opener due to a niggle. Steve Smith is likely to bat at three – a rarity for him in the T20I format.
“Most likely he’ll bat at three in this series with Mitch Marsh being out,” Finch said on Monday. “We know the quality that Steve’s got. He’s one of the best players that has ever played the game over all formats of the game. So we know the skill that he’s got and the game sense and the tactical nous that he’s got.
“So we’re really confident that regardless of what role he has to play within the structure of the squad, that he can do that very, very well.”
Meanwhile, India will be seeking to improve after a disappointing effort at the recent Asia Cup, with Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel set to boost the hosts after missing that tournament.
The clash will take place in Mohali, with live coverage on Fox Cricket and Kayo from 11.20pm AEST.
MATCH CENTRE: Teams, stats, scorecards, video
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