IND vs AUS, 2nd T20I Predicted XI: Rishabh Pant or Dinesh Karthik? Question looms in the must-win Nagpur match
India Today
IND vs AUS, 2nd T20I Predicted XI: Rishabh Pant or Dinesh Karthik? Who will get a nod in India's must-win match against Australia in Nagpur? India are aiming to bounce back to keep the series alive against the world champions.
India will be looking to keep the T20I series alive against Australia when the two sides meet in the second match at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur on Friday (September 23).
Going into the must-win match, India could potentially tinker with the lineup that lost the opening match owing to mistakes in the field. According to captain Rohit Sharma, India had sufficient runs on board (208/6), but the bowling and fielding let down the hosts against the world champions.
Although not many changes are expected, India could still give some game time to Rishabh Pant ahead of the T20 World Cup. In the first match, Dinesh Karthik was preferred over the first-choice wicket-keeper, Rishabh Pant.
A major concern for India is the fitness of fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. The 28-year-old, who last played a T20I against England in July 2022, missed the Asia Cup due to an injury. Bumrah returned to the side for the T20I series against Australia, but missed the opening match. Rohit, however, hinted that the fast bowler may feature in the second and third T20I matches.
On the other hand, Aaron Finch's Australia would be aiming to secure the three-match T20I series against India. Although the side won the first match, there are a few issues that Australia need to address, which includes their middle order.
In the absence of David Warner, who had been rested, Cameron Green stood up and put on a brilliant show. But the middle order comprising Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Josh Inglis remains a concern as both failed at No.3 and No.4 respectively.
Their back-to-back dismissals created a mini wobble before Matthew Wade came to the rescue. In the bowling department, Australia would look to work on their line and length as they leaked quite some runs towards the end.
