The third and final T20I between India and Australia is scheduled to be played in Sydney on January 31, 2016. Sydney T20I will start at around 2:00 PM IST. India has taken an unassailable lead of 2-0 in the three-match series. On the other hand, Australia has now lost three games on the trot. The final game is supposed to be the summary of this modern-era rivalry between India and Australia.
It’s the end of an exciting series, one that was full of outstanding performances. India lost the ODI series 1-4 but looked like the better team in almost every game. However, the tides changed, and India registered three comprehensive victories riding on some newfound confidence. The curtain finally falls at the famous SCG today.
Sydney weather had been unforgiving since past few days. However, as though miraculously, the weather during Sydney T20I is likely to remain sunny with strokes of clouds adding to the stunning view. Simply speaking, conditions are ideal for an exciting game of cricket. There’s very little to no chance of rain in Sydney tomorrow. However, cloudy to partly cloudy conditions will take over in the evening.
MS Dhoni, for the first time during this series, must be feeling relieved. Finally, the team has found the right balance. The combination seems to be working at the moment. But in case of an early collapse, will the middle order be able to give same results? Team India’s huge totals have allowed Dhoni’s bowlers to bowl freely so far. However, India’s middle order remains unexposed in the T20 affair. Besides that, the team looks in great momentum for the Sydney T20I, that too so close to the World Cup.
Australia has a lot to think and do. After starting the series on a high, Steve Smith had expressed his desire to finish at No. 1 across all formats. However, after losing two games in a row, Smith left the team terming the T20 format as ‘just entertainment’. Only recently, India became the world’s No. 1 Test team. The morale has been low in the Australian camp.
After Warner and Smith’s departure, now Finch is also injured and won’t be playing during Sydney T20I. Usman Khwaja will replace Finch and Shane Watson will captain the side. Also, Mathew Wade will be replaced by Cameron Bancroft. Mitch Marsh and Josh Hazlewood are also expected to leave. There’ll be a lot of new faces in the Australian side during Sydney T20I.
India will head back home after the Sydney T20I. Come February 9, and the boys will be in action again. This time with neighbors Sri Lanka who will be visiting India next month. All this good match practice before the T20 World Cup might just help India win another World Cup on home soil. That concludes our coverage for this series. India v/s Sri Lanka is round the corner, until then, keep thinking weather-wise.
(Featured Image Credit: ndtv.com)
