Arshdeep Singh back; Will Harshit Rana sit out? India's probable XI for 3rd T20I vs AUS

Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana [Source: AFP]

The second T20I against Australia saw a poor batting performance from the Indian side. The surface at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) troubled almost every Indian batter as they could only score 125 runs in the first innings. The hosts easily chased the target, winning the match by four wickets and with 6.4 overs to spare.

Loss in 2nd T20I could lead to changes in IND XI

The difference between the two teams was their respective seam-bowling departments. In a surprising move, India played with only two proper pacers, Jasprit Bumrah and Harshit Rana, on a surface that favoured the fast bowlers. 

The Men in Blue instead included three spinners in their XI, a move that eventually backfired on them. Although the total was already very modest, the team management was questioned for their bizarre selection. So, having already lost a game, India would be desperate to bounce back and might tweak their lineup a little bit to get themselves back on the winning track.

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Sanju Samson's place under scanner

Sanju Samson, the Kerala-born cricketer, is a top-order batter and has often proved his talent by displaying some terrific knocks while opening for the Indian team. However, ever since Shubman Gill has been included in the T20I squad, Samson has been forced to change his batting spot. 

During the Asia Cup 2025, Samson was seen batting in the middle order. However, in the recently played 2nd T20I, the right-handed batter was sent to bat at No. 3 and failed to make any impact, getting dismissed for just two runs.

Logically, it would be appropriate to play Jitesh Sharma instead of Samson. Jitesh has consistently played the role of a finisher, as evident in his many appearances in the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, it would also be an injustice to snub Samson from the XI after only one failure in the ongoing series. Therefore, we reckon the Indian team will likely back him for a few more games before taking a final call. 

Will Arshdeep Singh finally come in? 

Indian management's decision to play three spinners on the Australian surface didn't go well with cricket experts as well as fans. It came as a shock when team India benched Arshdeep Singh, while picking all three of Axar, Kuldeep and Varun Chakravarthy for the first two T20Is.

Spinners have taken only 51 out of 169 wickets in Hobart, which speaks a lot about the nature of the surface. So, there are high chances of Arshdeep replacing one of the two spinners. We reckon Kuldeep Yadav, who was smacked for 45 runs in 3.3 overs in the 2nd T20I, might make room for the left-arm pacer. 

Harshit Rana likely to get another chance

(Harshit Rana's middling bowling stats in T20Is)

Harshit Rana has been consistently backed by the Indian team management, irrespective of the format. Although he's been very ineffective with the ball, he has shown some great signs with the bat. Even in the 2nd T20I against Australia, Rana scored 35 runs and was the second-highest run-scorer for India in the match.

More importantly, the Indian team management is utilising Rana as a seam-bowling all-rounder. So, unless Nitish Reddy gets fully fit, we don't think India will drop Rana from their T20I XI. Additionally, since the Australian conditions favour pacers, there are high chances of him getting another chance in the third T20I as well.

India's probable XI for 3rd T20I vs Australia

Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah

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