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A washout in Canberra gave us only a brief glimpse of form and intent from both the cricketing giants. The second T20I in Melbourne now becomes the first proper chance to build momentum in the series and see who trumps the other. Both these teams have been playing quality cricket, especially in this format, being the top-ranked teams. Here is a list of three players who can be important in the upcoming game.
1. Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek’s role is simple: to get India off to a flying start. He did exactly that in Canberra, cracking 19 off 14 balls before Nathan Ellis beat him with a slower one. The cameo showed intent and left-arm power that can unsettle Australia’s new-ball plan. If Abhishek gets through the powerplay, India’s middle-order gets much easier to manage, and he’s comfortable taking the energy away from the opposition in the first six overs. He will play a crucial role in the second game as he will be looking to better his performance.
2. Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar looked sharp before rain stopped play, finishing 39 from 24 balls and reminding everyone why he’s India’s X-factor in the T20s. Beyond runs, his shot-selection and ability to rotate the strike while still exploding when needed make him the batter teams fear most in tight T20 chases. In Melbourne, expect him to bat through the middle overs and manufacture match-defining boundaries, especially off slower or fuller deliveries that ride on Indian pitches.
3. Tim David
Australia’s finishing option is as clear as ever, i.e. Tim David. He’s capable of changing a chase in a single over and comes into the Melbourne game with a recent big-innings pedigree, including a blistering T20I century earlier in 2025. He was also alert in the field in Canberra, taking the catch to dismiss Abhishek, which is a small reminder that his value isn’t only with the bat. India will need a smart mix of angles and slower balls to keep him quiet, and if he gets pace and width, Australia can flip the contest quickly.
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