The opening T20I between India and Australia was washed out in Canberra due to persistent rain following which now both the teams will be eager to win the match today which will be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Suryakumar Yadav and co. will be looking forward to clinch a victory as they already look in solid form while Mitchell Marsh and team will be looking to continue the winning momentum they gained from winning ODI series against India.
IND vs AUS, 2nd T20I: Pitch Report
The pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is considered one of those pitches which has a fair balance between the bat and the ball. The hard surface allows pacers to find movement off the seam and extra bounce early in the innings, hence making the first few overs tough for the batters. Bowlers who hit the deck hard and maintain a disciplined line can trouble even the most experienced players in the powerplay.
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Once the ball loses its shine, batting often becomes easier. The actual nature of the MCG pitch is one on which confident stroke play is possible, especially square of the wicket. However, the large boundaries – about 73 metres square and 86 metres straight – make timing and placement more often rewarded than brute force.
Spinners tend to play a supporting role in T20s here, while accurate bowlers who vary their pace can hold up the scoring during the middle overs. The average first-innings total at the MCG works out to 141-144, which could mean that totals of around 160-170 may be competitive, conditions depending.
IND vs AUS, 2nd T20I: Toss Strategy
Winning the toss is very important at the MCG as it gives a slight advantage particularly in night matches. Hence, the captain which wins the toss should bowl first as chasing will benefit in those conditions. The dew often comes in play and it will make it difficult for the bowlers to grip the ball later in the innings.
