IND vs AUS 3rd T20I, Playing 11: Pandey Likely To Replace Samson, Bumrah Might Be Rested Again

India will lock horns with Australia in the third and final game of the 3-match T20I series at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney, Australia.

A high on confidence Indian team will look to carry on their winning momentum and look to inflict a series whitewash on the hosts for a second time 'Down Under'.

Coming into the series finale at the SCG, Kohli and Co. will look to continue their winning juggernaut in the shortest format, which has seen them winning 5 bilateral series on the trot and going unbeaten in 10 games.

India pulled off a mammoth 195-run chase in the 2nd T20I at Sydney to seal the series and even out terms with the hosts after losing the ODI leg of the white ball tour

With the Indian team firing on all cylinders, the 'Men In Blue' might field the same Playing XI at the SCG, which has proven to been a happy hunting ground for the visitors. The only possible change could be Manish Pandey coming in place of Sanju Samson in the middle order.



OPENING DUO - SHIKHAR DHAWAN AND KL RAHUL

India are set to open with Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul for a third straight game. While Dhawan has shown good form with the willow scoring a breezy half ton in the last game, Rahul would like to convert promising starts into meaningful scores.

MIDDLE ORDER - Kohli The Lynchpin, Pandey Could Replace Samson

Indian skipper Virat Kohli would once again be the lynchpin in the middle order and would look at exceling at his role in anchoring the innings and setting up a strong foudation. Kohli comes into the series decider on the back of a quick-fire 40 off just 24 deliveries in the second T20I.

Shreyas Iyer is set to give the Indian skipper company in the middle order after the elegant right hander looked in his comfort zone tonking spinners with effortless ease during the fag end of India's successful run chase.

Power hitter Sanju Samson failed to capitalize on his two opportunities despite looking good in the early part of his innings in both the games. Manish Pandey might replace him in the Playing XI to bolster the middle order.

PANDYA EXPECTED TO PLAY THE ROLE OF CLINICAL FINISHER

The in-form Hardik Pandya will once look to provide the late flourish down the order with his clinical ball striking. The seam all-rounder has been in devastating form with the bat was the game changer in the series clinching win at SCG.

CHAHAL AND SUNDAR TO SHARE SPIN DUTIES

In the absence of Ravindra Jadeja, Chahal will share spin duties with mystery spinner Washington Sundar for a second straight game. While Yuzi has picked up wickets, he has been a tad expensive.

CHAHAR, NATARAJAN AND THAKUR TO FORM SEAM TRIO

India seam attack would have the same look as the troika of Deepak Chahar, T Natarajan and Shardul Thakur will form the fast bowling attack for the series finale at the SCG.

While newcomer T Natarajan has impressed one and all with his subtle variations and yorkers at the death, Deepak Chahar would look to pick up wickets with the new ball upfront.

Experienced campaigner Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami are expected to be rested again in-order to keep him fit for the Test series.

India predicted playing XI against Australia for 3rd T20I At SCG

KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Manish Pandey, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, T Natarajan, Washington Sundar.