India's predicted T20I squad to face Australia

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.