India look to avoid T20 whitewash against Aussies

Stung by a prolonged losing streak in what has turned out to be a nightmarish tour, a hapless India will now look to avoid a Twenty20 whitewash when they lock horns with Australia in the second match in Melbourne.

Completely outclassed in the humiliating 0-4 Test loss against the hosts, India had hoped for redemption in the limited over format but they again succumbed to a 31-run defeat in the first Twenty20 on Wednesday.

The young legs did show some energy on the field but at the batting crease, they were no different to their Test seniors and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has to do something to inspire his team.

In the bowling department too, the Indians failed to make early inroads in the Australian line-up and now that off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin's card has been shown up to be blank by a rampant David Warner, Zaheer Khan's return would be crucial to India's chances.

Australia, on the other hand, have been simply ruthless so far as after mauling India in the Test series, the hosts notched up a convincing victory and they would now look to complete a Twenty20 clean sweep.

Australia would only go better once Daniel Christian, Mitchell Marsh and Clint McKay get an opportunity to show their wares and chances are they would in front of 90,000 strong fans who are likely to turn up at the MCG, home of Australian cricket.

Christian has been on the fringes of selection in the Test side this summer and is viewed as one of the upcoming stars of Australian cricket.

He was the top scorer in domestic one-day matches and was also the second highest wicket-taker. A powerful hitter, Christian didn't get a chance to bat last night but picked up two for 35 with his fast deliveries.

Mitchell, younger brother of Shaun Marsh, has set the domestic stage ablaze with his powerful hitting.

Just 20, Marsh likes expressing his talent both with bat and ball and is one of the many multidimensional cricketers who are coming up through the ranks in Australian cricket.

McKay, a 194cm tall right-arm fast bowler, is renowned for his control and economy.

The 28-year-old local boy is said to possess enough variety in his armoury.The fast bowler is a handy lower order bat too and has already represented Australia in all three formats -- Tests, ODIs and Twenty20 internationals.

The variety and the options Australia has in bowling is equally befuddling.

George Bailey, the home captain, said as much when he said he has quite a few bowlers who could bowl in the death overs.