Xtra Time Web Desk: The trip to Canberra has given Virat Kohli and his boys much needed confidence ahead of the crucial 2nd T20I against Australia at SCG on Sunday. The Men in Blue won both their matches at the Australian capital after being thumped in the first two ODIs at Sydney. Kohli and his team won both the 3rd ODI and 1st T20I played at the Manuka Oval as they face off with the hosts again eyeing a series win. The Indians would be weakened by the absence of Ravindra Jadeja who played a stunning knock of 44* in the last match. Jadeja has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20I series with Shardul Thakur replacing him. The all-rounder has excelled at the back of the innings in the previous two matches, and will surely be missed.
Australia, on the hand, will be seething after losing the opening T20I. They had dominated for large parts of the match, but let their advantage slip at crucial junctures. The hosts had India on the mat at 114 for six in 16.5 overs but had no plans to counter Jadeja’s hitting prowess and were made to pay dearly as India managed to post 161 for seven on the board.
Chasing 162 runs to win, Australia were cruising at one point of time until concussion substitute Yuzuvendra Chahal spun the web against the Aussie batsmen, getting rid of both Aaron Finch and Steve Smith. India will go into the second T20I full of confidence, especially the bowling department. Chahal, T Natarajan and Washington Sundar were all exceptional with the ball. While Chahal and Natarajan took three wickets each, Sundar was at his miserly best, giving away just 16 runs off his four overs.
The Indians will be high on confidence going into the 2nd T20I at the SCG.