IND v AUS 2020, 2nd T20I: India's predicted playing XI

After beating Australia by 11 runs in the 1st T20I, India head back to Sydney in an attempt to seal the 3-match series.

Virat Kohli went for a batting-heavy line-up in the previous game, with Washington Sundar coming in to bat at No. 8 and only 5 bowling options in the playing XI. However, an injury to Ravindra Jadeja means that India will have to play the remaining two matches with one less batting option.

Keeping this change in mind, here is what India's playing XI for the 2nd T20I against Australia could look like.

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Openers: KL Rahul (wk), Shikhar Dhawan

KL Rahul

KL Rahul was one of the few batsmen who looked at home in the 1st T20I, and should retain his place at the top of the order after a 40-ball 51. He consolidated the innings post the dismissals of Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli, and will be key for India once again.

Rahul will be partnered by Dhawan, who was beaten all ends up by an excellent Mitchell Starc out-swinger in the previous game. The southpaw has Mayank Agarwal knocking on the door for the other opener's spot, and he'll need to put in an improved performance against the Aussies in the 2nd T20I.

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Middle-order: Virat Kohli (c), Sanju Samson, Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya

Manish Pandey

Although he has scored numerous fifties in the recent past, captain Virat Kohli has been in patchy form and will want to get back to his dominant best in the 2nd T20I. The 32-year-old chipped a catch back to Mitchell Swepson in the previous game and walked back for just 9 runs. With talk surrounding his captaincy growing with every game, he'll want to lead from the front and take India to a series win.

Sanju Samson walked in at No. 4 and played a few authoritative shots before finding the fielder at cover for just 23 runs, but he should retain his place in the XI. The young batsman also took an excellent catch in the outfield and remains a key component of the Indian team in the T20I format.

Manish Pandey was one of India's worst performers in the 1st T20I, as he managed only 2 off 8 balls and spilled a tough chance while fielding in the circle. With Shreyas Iyer waiting in the wings for an opportunity, the 31-year-old must put in an improved performance with the bat in the game on Sunday.

Both Samson and Pandey are expected to be given another opportunity in the 2nd T20I, and Iyer could make his way back into the team for the final game if one of them fail.

Hardik Pandya has proven himself to be capable of playing as a specialist batsman, and although he couldn't get going in the 1st T20I, there are no doubts regarding his place in the playing XI.

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All-rounder: Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar

Ravindra Jadeja has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20I series, and this will leave India with only one recognised all-rounder in Washington Sundar. The off-spinner, who bowled a superb 4-over spell for just 16 runs in the 1st T20I, will need to contribute with some runs at No. 7.

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Bowlers: Deepak Chahar, Yuzvendra Chahal, T Natarajan, Jasprit Bumrah

Deepak Chahar

In the absence of Jadeja, Deepak Chahar could add some extra batting depth at No. 8. The owner of the best bowling figures in T20I cricket picked up the wicket of Moises Henriques in the previous game, and made an excellent comeback after being taken for 3 boundaries in his first over. Not part of the Test squad and a potent threat with the new ball, Chahar should retain his place in the Indian XI.

After being left out of the 1st T20I, Yuzvendra Chahal made a massive impact as a concussion substitute for Ravindra Jadeja. The leg-spinner scalped the wickets of Steve Smith, Aaron Finch and Matthew Wade to end up with the Man of the Match award, and it's all but guaranteed that he'll be brought in as a starter.

T Natarajan made his Indian T20I debut a memorable one, as he finished with 3 wickets including the all-important scalp of the dangerous Glenn Maxwell. The left-armer was greatly impressive apart from a couple of loose deliveries, and he will look to add to his wickets tally in the 2nd T20I.

Mohammed Shami was the only Indian bowler to take some punishment in the 1st T20I, and he could make way for ace speedster Jasprit Bumrah. The 26-year-old was rested for the T20I series opener, but could force his way back into the side and partner Natarajan at the death.

Rest would also serve Shami, who is part of the Indian squad for the upcoming Test series, well.