Looking at the balance both the teams have it will surely be a cracker of a contest.

Since the league's inception in 2008, every franchise has always tried to keep at least one death-over specialist.

According to Thampi, the most important thing which he learnt from the senior pacers was how to prepare his body.

While Bhuvneshwar was not used in the Test series and subsequently played eight ODIs, Mohammed Shami featured in four Tests against Australia and nine ODIs (five against Australia and four in New Zealand) in recent times.

The Indian team management has been categorical in its demand that the troika of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar's workload be effectively managed by franchises ahead of the World Cup.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar said the eight-wicket loss to New Zealand is a "reality check" for the team.

Only four Indian batsmen - Dhawan (13), Pandya (16), Kuldeep (15) and Chahal (18 not out) - posted double-digit scores.

Dhoni averages 52.95 while batting at number four, which is higher than his current career-average of 50.11 over 333 games.

Buvneshwar was seen bowling in the nets keeping a shoe at the base of the stumps in order to perfect his yorker ahead of the 2nd ODI in Adelaide.

Bhuvneshwar, who was a part of the Test squad, wasn't picked in the playing XI during the four-match series and did look rusty during the slog overs of the opening ODI.

After winning a historic Test series a few days ago, India aim to repeat the performance under the lights with the white ball.

Virat Kohli has scored 2735 runs in 2018 but under his captaincy, India have failed to win either of the Test series in South Africa and England.

India have added Ravindra Jadeja, Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar to the squad in the absence of Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin.

Australia had scored 137 for seven in 19 overs when the first spell of rain arrived at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Fleming, who has played a lot of limited overs and a few Test matches against India, like most of the pundits agreed that India never had such a potent pace attack. 

Yadav picked up five wickets in two matches at an economy-rate of 5.6 in India's home series 3-0 win over the current T20 champions, West Indies.

Stream Live Cricket, India vs West Indies 3rd T20I: Watch Ind vs WI T20I Match Streaming Online at Hotstar and Live Telecast at Star Sports TV Channel from MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai

Virat Kohli suggested that India's front line fast bowlers who are in fray for the next year's marquee event should be allowed to skip the IPL 2019.

Rohit smashed his fourth T20 century to power India to a commanding 195 for two after being asked to bat first.

He defended his pace colleague Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who had a bad in office as he leaked 70 runs in his 10 overs.