Australia vs India, 2nd Test – Fantasy XI Cricket Tips, Prediction & Probable XI

Australia defeated India in the first test at Adelaide and lead the four-match series 1-0. Both the teams will meet each other on the boxing day test at Melbourne for the second test on 26th December 2020. 

2nd Test, Australia vs India: Match Details

• Date – 26th December 2020
• Time – 5:00 AM IST 
• Venue – Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne 

Australia vs India Match Preview:

Australian batsmen did not look comfortable during the first test match. However, Opener Joe Burns found some form in the second innings as he scored a fifty and finished the match. Tim Paine saved his team from an embarrassing collapse in the first innings and took the team to a safer position, which eventually won them the game. Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne will be the key players if Australia wants to score a big total. 

Australian bowling quartet - Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon are at their peak. Cummins and Hazlewood bowled an unplayable spell in the first test to bowl India out for their lowest score. All-rounder Cameron Green provides good support with his seam bowling. 

Indian batsmen might want to forget the last test match. No batsman was able to stay at the crease as they collapsed for mere 36 runs. India has plenty to ponder - whether to give Prithvi Shaw another go, who will replace Virat Kohli, and should Ravindra Jadeja be included in the playing XI. Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara will be India's most important batsman in this game. 

Mohammed Shami fractured his hand in the last game, which has left a big hole in the bowling lineup. Jasprit Bumrah and Umesh Yadav looked good in the first test and will be hoping to up their game in the absence of  Shami. Mohammed Siraj could get a chance to play in this test. 

Australians will be coming into the 2nd test match with confidence, while India, humiliated in the last game, will need to get back to their best. The hosts are looking clear favorites for this game unless the visitors pull off a miracle. 

Australia vs India Head to Head:

• Total – 99
• Australia – 43
• India – 28
• Draw - 27
• Tie - 1

Australia vs India Team News: 

Virat Kohli has left for India for his first childbirth. Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of the series due to a fracture in his hand. Ravindra Jadeja is likely to be available for selection for this match. David Warner has been ruled out of the 2nd test as well. 

Australia vs India Probable Playing XI:

Australia - Joe Burns, Matthew Wade, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Tim Paine (c & wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

India - Prithvi Shaw/ Shubman Gill, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, KL Rahul/ Ravindra Jadeja, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Wriddhiman Saha/ Rishab Pant (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj/ Navdeep Saini, Jasprit Bumrah

Australia vs India Fantasy XI:

• Wicket-keeper - Rishabh Pant*
• Batsmen - Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith
• All-rounders - Ravichandran Ashwin, Cameron Green
• Bowlers - Jasprit Bumrah, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

*Tim Paine can be added in if Rishab Pant is not in playing XI