In the aftermath of a nail-biting thriller in Vishakhapatnam, the Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian cricket team is gearing up to face Australia in the second T20I at Thiruvananthapuram. The first match saw India successfully chase their highest total against Australia, showcasing a stellar batting performance. However, the impending second encounter is shrouded in uncertainty as weather conditions threaten to play a pivotal role.
Despite the usual pleasant weather in the southern region of India at this time of year, apprehensions loom over the potential impact of rain in Kerala's capital during the match at Greenfield International Stadium. AccuWeather forecasts a generally sunny morning with the possibility of passing afternoon showers. While brief precipitation is anticipated, it is expected to have minimal impact on the evening match scheduled for 7 pm IST.
Fortunately, the match day is poised to offer clear skies, with a maximum temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, alleviating concerns of significant disruptions due to adverse weather conditions. Notably, Suryakumar Yadav's team holds a 1-0 lead in the five-match ODI series, and they aim to maintain their winning momentum, fueled by the red-hot form of their batters. However, challenges in the bowling department may pose a hurdle for the hosts.
IND vs AUS: Pitch Report
The pitch at this venue typically favours both fast and spin bowlers over batters. Historically, seam bowlers have enjoyed early movement from the surface, while spinners find assistance in the middle overs. Batters should play their shots wisely, focusing on targeting vulnerable bowlers to accumulate runs. In T20 matches, the average score in the first innings is 114 runs from three games. Teams bowling first have won two matches, while the team batting first has secured victory in one match, showcasing the dynamic nature of this ground.
IND vs AUS: Probable Playing XI
India: RD Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan (wk), SA Yadav (C), Tilak Varma, RK Singh, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Prasidh Krishna
Australia: MW Short, Steve Smith, JP Inglis, AM Hardie, MP Stoinis, Tim David, MS Wade (C), Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, JP Behrendorff, Tanveer Sangha