After losing the 2nd T20I in Melbourne, India will look to bounce back in the third T20I against Australia, set to be played on Sunday at the Bellerive Oval, Hobart. The Men in Blue trail 0–1 in the five-match series, with the first match being washed out. With bowlers struggling for consistency and key changes expected, all eyes are on India’s possible lineup and how they respond in a must-win clash.
Match Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | India vs Australia, 3rd T20I 2025 |
| Series | India Tour of Australia 2025 |
| Date & Time | Sunday, 2 November 2025, 1:45 PM (IST) |
| Venue | Bellerive Oval, Hobart |
| Live Telecast | Star Sports Network / Disney+ Hotstar |
| Current Series Score | Australia lead 1–0 |
India’s Situation Ahead of 3rd T20I
India’s batting collapsed in the 2nd T20I, where they managed only 125 runs in 18.4 overs despite a blazing 68 off 37 balls from Abhishek Sharma. Apart from his knock, the rest of the batting lineup struggled against Australia’s pace trio — Hazlewood, Ellis, and Bartlett, who took 7 wickets combined.
The bowlers fought back hard, but Mitchell Marsh (46 off 26) and Travis Head (28 off 15) guided Australia to victory. India will now aim to make crucial adjustments both in selection and strategy to stay alive in the series.
Read Also:- Sanju Samson vs Australia T20I Stats & Records
India Probable Playing XI for 3rd T20I
With Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the remainder of the T20Is to prepare for the upcoming Test series, India might bring in Arshdeep Singh to exploit swing-friendly conditions at Hobart.
| Role | Player |
|---|---|
| Batsmen | Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Varma |
| All-Rounders | Abhishek Sharma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel |
| Wicketkeeper | Sanju Samson |
| Spinners | Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy |
| Pacers | Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh* / Harshit Rana |
Note: Arshdeep Singh is likely to replace Harshit Rana after back-to-back ordinary performances.
Key Players to Watch
1. Abhishek Sharma
The left-handed opener has been India’s biggest positive so far. His fearless stroke play in Melbourne (68 off 37 balls) showed maturity and aggression. His ability to take on the new ball will be key at Hobart, where conditions favor stroke makers.
2. Jasprit Bumrah
Bumrah’s experience will be vital to control the powerplay and death overs. He picked up 2 wickets for 26 runs in the previous match and will look to lead the bowling attack once again.
3. Suryakumar Yadav (C)
The Indian skipper needs a big knock to lift the team’s morale. Known for his 360-degree game, Surya’s aggressive intent could be decisive in setting up or chasing a target.
4. Kuldeep Yadav
India’s mystery spinner could play a major role on Hobart’s track, which often provides turn in the middle overs. His control and variations will be key against Australia’s middle order.
5. Arshdeep Singh (If included)
After being benched for the first two matches, Arshdeep’s potential inclusion adds left-arm variety and early swing. The Hobart surface offers lateral movement, making him a valuable weapon.
Australia Probable Playing XI for 3rd T20I
With Josh Hazlewood rested for the remainder of the series to prepare for the Ashes Tests, Sean Abbott or Adam Zampa may come into the lineup. Captain Mitchell Marsh will continue to lead a confident Australian side that dominated the second T20I.
| Role | Player |
|---|---|
| Batsmen | Travis Head, Tim David, Matthew Short |
| All-Rounders | Mitchell Marsh (C), Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Owen |
| Wicketkeeper | Josh Inglis |
| Spinners | Adam Zampa / Matthew Kuhnemann |
| Pacers | Nathan Ellis, Xavier Bartlett, Sean Abbott |
Australia may rest one of their main pacers (Ellis or Bartlett) and rotate in Zampa for variety.
Read Also:- Suryakumar Yadav Captaincy Record in All Formats
Pitch & Weather Report – Bellerive Oval, Hobart
The Bellerive Oval pitch usually assists fast bowlers early on with extra bounce and swing. However, as the game progresses, the surface becomes good for batting.
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Type | Balanced – swing early, batting friendly later |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 160–170 |
| Best Suited For | Batters with good timing |
| Weather Forecast | Cloudy with mild wind – 40% chance of showers |
| Dew Factor | Moderate – may assist team batting second |
India’s decision to go with three spinners on the bouncy Melbourne pitch backfired badly. For Hobart, conditions demand more pace options, making Arshdeep Singh’s return almost certain. Also, India’s top order—Gill, Surya, Samson—needs to show greater application against swing bowling.
The team must rotate strike more efficiently and avoid middle-order collapses. Meanwhile, Bumrah’s control and Varun Chakaravarthy’s economy in the middle overs could define India’s bowling success.
India are likely to make one change, bringing Arshdeep Singh in place of Harshit Rana. Expect Abhishek Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah to play key roles in India’s comeback attempt.
Conclusion
The 3rd T20I is a crucial juncture for Team India. A win will bring the series back to level at 1–1, while a loss could put immense pressure heading into the final two games. Fans can expect an intense battle as both teams aim to make a statement in Hobart
