3rd T20I: Can India bounce back vs Australia in Hobart?
What's the story
Australia and India will clash in the third match of their five-match T20I series at Hobart's Bellerive Oval on Sunday. The hosts lead the five-match series 1-0 after winning the second game by four wickets. India's Abhishek Sharma was the star performer in the last match with a blistering 68 off just 37 balls. However, his individual performance wasn't enough to secure victory for his team. Here is the preview for the third match.
Conditions
Pitch report and streaming details
The weather in Hobart is expected to be reasonably hot with temperatures in the mid-20s and negligible chances of rain. The average score for first innings in T20s at Bellerive Oval is around 145 but evening games have been high-scoring due to the ball coming nicely onto the bat. The match, which will get underway at 1:45pm IST, will be telecast live on Star Sports Networks in India, with live streaming available on the JioHotstar app and website.
H2H
Here's the head-to-head record
The two teams have locked horns in 34 T20Is to date, with India winning 20. While Australia have prevailed in 12 games, two were abandoned. According to ESPNcricinfo, India have a 7-5 win-loss record against Australia Down Under. They also lead 10-6 against Australia at home. Notably, Australia have never defeated India in a home T20I series (multiple matches).
Game plan
India might include an extra batter
After the loss in the second game, the Indian team might consider adding an extra batter and giving Shivam Dube some overs. Axar Patel, who didn't bowl in the previous match, could be replaced by Rinku Singh. Arshdeep Singh might also get a chance to play. India's predicted playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel/Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana/Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.
Australia
Changes in Aussie XI
Australia will be without their in-form pacer Josh Hazlewood for the rest of the series. However, in a boost, Adam Zampa will be available for the third fixture. Glenn Maxwell should also return to the XI. Australia's predicted playing XI: Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Tim David, Mitchell Owen, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Ben Dwarshuis.
Stats
Here are the key performers
With 680 runs at an impressive strike rate of 202.98, Abhishek Sharma is India's leading run-getter in T20Is this year. Mitchell Marsh's 413 T20I runs in 2025 have come at an average of 41.30 and a strike rate of 165.86. Kuldeep Yadav claimed 19 wickets from his last eight T20I innings. Adam Zampa is the leading wicket-taker in T20Is played in Australia (46 wickets at 18.97).
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