India's predicted T20I squad to face Australia

After a triumphant journey in the Asia Cup, the next biggest challenge for the Indian team looms in the form of the Australia tour, a long battle that would test Kohli's men big time before the World Cup. The India-Australia rivalry has been closely followed over the past few years, and the might of the two world cricket bigwigs will be on display not long from now.

With the T20Is forming the first leg of the tour, the selectors will already have a set of players ready in their probable list. Here's how the Indian T20I lineup might stand against the Aussies in their home.

Openers: Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul (3rd opener)

Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit

Sharma

Giving the trusted duo of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan a run at the top of the order in as many games before the World Cup is what the management should be looking at. The two are best suited to be India's opening pair in Australia, given their experience. Rohit Sharma is India's second-highest run-scorer in T20Is against Australia, and has three fifties to his name against them.

Dhawan, whose gameplay could help him in Australia where the ball comes onto the bat, can also be expected to score runs at the top of the order. He would be looking to improve his T20 record against the Aussies, averaging 22.50 with no fifties next to his name.

While he has been in prime form with the bat, KL Rahul has been consigned to the role of the third opener due to the scorching form of Dhawan and Rohit. Rahul scored a Test century in England, and was in good nick in the limited-overs leg before that. Given his free-flowing nature, KL Rahul is a must have in the T20 squad.

If needed, he can p

Middle-order

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli

The backbone of India's batting, Kohli might have had problems with his back recently, but given that he got ample rest by skipping the Asia Cup, and will be raring to go against the opposition he loves scoring runs against - Australia.

He is India's leading run-getter in T20Is against the Aussies, averaging over 60 with a strike-rate of 144. His T20I best of 90* came against them in 2016.

Manish Pandey

He has been in and out of the ODI team, but Manish Pandey has performed well at the domestic level and made amends for a poor IPL by doing well in the Quadrangular A series against Australia and South Africa.

The 29-year-old averages more than 42 in T20Is

Ambati Rayudu

Rayudu last played a T20I for India in 2016, but his recent run of form, coupled with his scores in the IPL, could help him get into the side for the T20Is too. A dependable batsman who is sold in his gameplay and can increase the scoring rate when the situation demands, Rayudu, who is slowly solving India's No.4 problems in ODIs, could also be incorporated in the T20 scheme.

All-rounders and wicket-keepers

MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni

He has not been going great guns with the bat, but MS Dhoni continues to be a vital part of the limited-overs setup, especially with the World Cup not far away. Since Dhoni plays only ODIs and T20Is, it is imperative that he plays as many of them as possible. His experience of playing numerous tournaments in Australia will prove to be valuable to the Indian team.

Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant has proved, time and again, why he is the face of India's future. An aggressive batsman who is not known to take half measures, Pant proved his versatility with a century in the Test series against England.

His game, especially his six-hitting abilities, are tailor-made for the T20 format. If given a long run, he can be India's difference-maker for years to come.

Hardik Pandya

A back injury during the Asia Cup was a scary sight for India fans, who have been used to the talented all-rounder pitching in with matchwinning performances with both bat and ball. He is a must-have in India's T20 plans purely based on the impact he creates and the balance he lends to the side.

If he is fit and ready to go, Pandya could be the all-rounder India require in Australia. Life will come full circle for the 25-year-old, who debuted for India in Australia in 2016.

Ravindra Jadeja

How Jaddu has managed to make his way back into the Indian limited-overs setup is an inspiring story, and his coming back into the Men in Blue jersey bodes well for India ahead of the World Cup. The experienced left-handed all-rounder can give India the thrust required in the final overs.

But more than that, it is his pinpoint bowling that does the trick in the middle overs, forcing false strokes out of batsmen.

Spinners

England v India - 1st Vitality International T20

Kuldeep Yadav

One of the brightest young stars in the Indian team currently, Kuldeep is taking giant strides with each passing match and showing his prowess in all three formats of the game. The chinaman bowler possesses tremendous control over his variations and uses them to great effect.

Against the Australian batsmen, versus whom he picked up a hat-trick in ODIs last year, he could be the X-factor needed.

Yuzvendra Chahal

India's spin machine in the middle overs in limited overs cricket, Chahal is a clever customer who plays to his strength and can out-think the batsman. He might not have a lot of variations like Kuldeep, but knows which batsman to target how.

The 28-year-old hasn't played T20Is yet in Australia, but is known to be a quick learner who adapts himself to the conditions without much fuss.

He already has 42 wickets from 26 T20I games.

Fast bowlers

South Africa v India - T20 International

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Recovered from his back injury, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, India's spearhead, would be aiming to make an impact in Australia and create the necessary opportunities for India early with his accuracy and movement.

His batting down the order is also a useful attribute.

Jasprit Bumrah

No India bowler has created as big an imprint as Bumrah in the last two years - the quirky bowling style and the dead accurate yorkers are his USP, and he is making sure to improve on them with every passing series and become a much more accomplished bowler.

He would be vital for India in the death overs.

Khaleel Ahmed

One from the batch of U19 players that played under Ishan Kishan, Khaleel has impressed one and all with his raw pace and has risen up the ranks quickly. He got his India cap in the Asia Cup and was also included for the West Indies ODI series.

Given that a left-arm pacer lends balance to the Indian attack, he could be in for a long run.

Umesh Yadav

He recently made a return to the limited-overs setup and while he has gone for a lot of runs, he also possesses the ability to pick up wickets upfront. Given that India have Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh could be included as the third seamer if India decides to go for an extra pacer on fast-paced wickets.