HOBART, 2 November (H.S.): On Sunday, India will face Australia in the third T20I at the Bellerive Oval, with the team's selection choices under intense scrutiny following a defeat in Melbourne. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side is expected to reconsider its playing XI as it aims to level the series.India's strategy in the previous match was widely questioned after the team was bowled out for 125.

The decision to play three spinners on a pace-friendly Melbourne pitch, along with the exclusion of specialist fast bowler Arshdeep Singh, drew criticism. The role of all-rounder Shivam Dube is also under review, as he batted at number eight and did not bowl, prompting suggestions that a specialist batter like Rinku Singh might be more effective in Australian conditions.

Australia, meanwhile, will be without pace bowler Josh Hazlewood, who has left the squad to prepare for the upcoming Ashes series. He is replaced by 20-year-old fast-bowling prospect Mahli Beardman.

In a significant boost for the hosts, star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell is set to return to the lineup after recovering from a wrist fracture.The weather in Hobart is expected to be clear for the match. The pitch at Bellerive Oval has historically been unpredictable, but it is expected to offer pace and carry, with a par score likely to be between 160 and 170.

For today's T20I match between India and Australia, the squads are as follows:The Indian team will be led by captain Suryakumar Yadav, with Shubman Gill as the vice-captain. The rest of the squad includes wicketkeepers Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma, batters Rinku Singh, Abhishek Sharma, and Tilak Varma, and all-rounders Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, and Washington Sundar. The bowling lineup consists of Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakaravarthy.

The Australian team is captained by Mitchell Marsh . The squad features wicketkeepers Josh Inglis and Josh Philippe, along with batters Travis Head, Tim David, Ben McDermott, and Matthew Short. The all-rounders are Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Mitchell Owen. Australia's bowlers for the match include Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman, Nathan Ellis, and Matthew Kuhnemann.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar