After a splendid run of T20I form that saw them clinch the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Asia Cup amid a plethora of bilateral trophies, India are finally up against a real challenge. The Men in Blue are in the middle of a high-profile series against Australia, and things aren’t going swimmingly at the moment.
India were in a decent position during the series opener in Canberra, but rain ensured a washout. Then, in Melbourne, Suryakumar Yadav and company were blown away by a stunning new-ball spell from Josh Hazlewood. More importantly, both their team combination as well as the suitability of their players to the conditions Down Under are suspect at the moment.
On Sunday, November 2, India will lock horns with the Aussies in the third T20I at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart. The visitors will know that they need to secure a victory if they are to stay in contention to lift the trophy.
Australia will be without Hazlewood, who has been rested keeping the Ashes in mind. Glenn Maxwell is back, however, and the hosts will be keen on sustaining their stellar form in the shortest format.
### India’s T20I squad for the Australia tour:
– Suryakumar Yadav (captain)
– Abhishek Sharma
– Shubman Gill (vice-captain)
– Tilak Varma
– Nitish Kumar Reddy
– Shivam Dube
– Axar Patel
– Jitesh Sharma (wk)
– Varun Chakaravarthy
– Jasprit Bumrah
– Arshdeep Singh
– Kuldeep Yadav
– Harshit Rana
– Sanju Samson (wk)
– Rinku Singh
– Washington Sundar
### Australia’s T20I squad for the India series:
– Mitchell Marsh (c)
– Sean Abbott (games 1-3)
– Xavier Bartlett
– Mahli Beardman (games 3-5)
– Tim David
– Ben Dwarshuis (games 4-5)
– Nathan Ellis
– Josh Hazlewood (games 1-2)
– Ben McDermott (standby player)
– Glenn Maxwell (games 3-5)
– Travis Head
– Josh Inglis
– Matthew Kuhnemann
– Mitchell Owen
– Josh Philippe
– Tanveer Sangha
– Matthew Short
– Marcus Stoinis
### AUS vs IND 2025: Can India pull level in the 5-match series?
Can India overcome the Aussie pace challenge? More importantly, can their bowling ask questions of a power-packed batting lineup? It’s certainly possible, but it doesn’t seem probable right now.
India’s middle order seems ill-equipped to counter the conditions in Australia. Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, and Shivam Dube have blown hot and cold of late, while captain Suryakumar Yadav looks completely out of sorts. Harshit Rana is slated to bat at No. 8, meaning that the Men in Blue don’t have the depth they so desperately crave.
Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma will breathe easy in Hazlewood’s absence, and the third T20I will probably be their best shot at a victory so far. But the fact of the matter is that India are overly reliant on their openers, particularly Abhishek, to do the bulk of the run-scoring.
Australia, despite seeing their bowling attack take a hit, will likely be the favorites for the encounter. India are in with a real chance and shouldn’t be counted out, but their performances so far just haven’t been convincing.
**Prediction:** Australia to win the 3rd T20I vs India.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/india-vs-australia-match-prediction-who-will-win-today-s-aus-vs-ind-2025-3rd-t20i-match