3rd T20I: History beckons MS Dhoni and Team India in Sydney

Sydney, Jan 30: Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who has faced a lot of criticism in recent times, now has a chance to leave Australia with a historic feat on Sunday (January 31).

Ind-Aus series photo gallery

Dhoni, already India's greatest limited overs leader, can add one more major achievement to his CV if he leads the team to victory against Australia in the 3rd and final Twenty20 International at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) tomorrow. (Dhoni sets world record)

The 34-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman can become the first Indian skipper to inflict a whitewash on Australia in their home conditions. (Dhoni's last-over six saves self, team)

(Yograj Singh trends during 2nd T20I)" title="series 2-0, for the first time in Australia, Dhoni and his men are one win away from creating history. Across all formats, no Indian team has ever achieved a clean sweep (in matches of 3 or more) of a bilateral series in Australia. (Yograj Singh trends during 2nd T20I)" />series 2-0, for the first time in Australia, Dhoni and his men are one win away from creating history. Across all formats, no Indian team has ever achieved a clean sweep (in matches of 3 or more) of a bilateral series in Australia. (Yograj Singh trends during 2nd T20I)

With their top order clicking big time in both Adelaide and Melbourne, India are favourites to complete a 3-0 victory and end their Australian tour on a high.

For most part of the ODI rubber, India were at the receiving end. Down 0-4, they turned it around in Sydney on January 23 thanks to Manish Pandey's brilliant maiden ton. From then on, India have registered hat-trick of wins (1 ODI, 2 T20Is).

Now, back again at the same venue, India will be desperate to triumph against a depleted home team, which is without regular captain Aaron Finch (injury), Steve Smith, David Warner, John Hastings, Kane Richardson, Matthew Wade. The last 5 players missing as they left today (January 30) for New Zealand tour.

The hosts will be led by all-rounder Shane Watson and they will again try out new faces in a bid to settle a combination for ICC World T20 in India in March-April.

In the 2nd T20I in Melbourne on January 29 (Friday), Australia made 6 changes while India had the same Playing XI for both games.

Dhoni and the team management might stick to the same winning combination again to make it 3-0. The verdict will also install India as number one in ICC T20I Rankings.

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