India Opt to Bowl in Canberra as Amanjot Replaces Patil; Australia Stick with Unchanged XI

India won the toss and chose to bowl in the second T20I against Australia at Manuka Oval in Canberra, looking to seal the T20 leg of the multi-format series. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur made the call on what appeared a good batting surface, with balmy evening conditions forecast for the night fixture.

The visitors made one change to the XI, bringing in allrounder Amanjot Kaur in place of Shreyanka Patil. India head into the contest brimming with confidence after dominating the rain-affected opener in Sydney, where seamer Arundhati Reddy dismantled Australia’s batting with a career-best spell.

For Australia, captain Sophie Molineux resisted the temptation to recall vice-captain Tahlia McGrath and veteran quick Megan Schutt, naming an unchanged side. The decision keeps faith with the combination that was outplayed in the first match, as Australia seek to level the T20I series and regain momentum in front of a home crowd.

Australia’s top order, featuring Beth Mooney, Phoebe Litchfield and the ever-reliable Ellyse Perry, will be tasked with setting or chasing a strong total on a surface expected to favour strokeplay. Allrounders Ash Gardner and Annabel Sutherland add depth, while Darcie Brown and Kim Garth lead the pace attack.

India, meanwhile, will rely on their experienced top order of Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues to capitalise if the chase unfolds under lights. A victory would give India an unassailable lead in the T20I leg, adding further pressure on Australia as they attempt to avoid a rare bilateral series defeat at home.