India elected to bowl first in the third T20I at Hobart, making three changes as they look to level the series without Sanju Samson against Australia.
Facing a must-win situation, India aims to level the five-match T20I series against Australia in the third encounter at Hobart’s Bellerive Oval.
After a washed-out opener, Australia seized a 1-0 lead with a four-wicket victory in Melbourne, successfully chasing 126 thanks to a dominant new-ball spell from Josh Hazlewood. The action now shifts to a fresh pitch, with both teams announcing significant changes to their playing elevens for this crucial clash.
India won the toss and elected to field first, a decision captain Suryakumar Yadav believed would favour his batters in the second innings. Australia, under Mitchell Marsh, welcomed the chance to set a target on what their captain described as a perfect batting surface. The team line-ups revealed three changes for India and one forced alteration for the hosts.
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Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian captain said at the toss, “We are going to bowl first. The ball will come on nicely to the bat in the 2nd innings. Happy to take it one game at a time. We have three changes – Jitesh, Arshdeep and Washington come in.”
After losing the toss, Australia captain Mitchell Marsh was still positive to turn the game around. “It’s a belter of a wicket. Want to get off to a good start and post a big total. We have just the one change – Abbott is in for Hazlewood,” Marsh said.
Netizens Troll Dropping Sanju Samson
Nevertheless, netizens didn’t like India dropping Sanju Samson after 2nd T20I failure and brutally trolled Gautam Gambhir and the team management for the harsh decision. Let’s take a look at how internet trolled the decision.
AUS vs IND, 3rd T20I: Playing XIs
Australia
Mitchell Marsh (C), Travis Head, Josh Inglis (WK), Tim David, Matthew Short, Mitchell Owen, Marcus Stoinis, Xavier Bartlett, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Matthew Kuhnemann.
India
Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.
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