Matthew Wade hit his highest T20 score and an eventful Glenn Maxwell half-century lifted Australia to 186 for five in the final match of the series against India in Sydney on Tuesday.

A raucous crowd of over 28,000 - with attendance limits lifted in new Covid-19 protocols by the NSW government - were entertained by some madcap batting from Maxwell to post a competitive total.

Maxwell had a night out. He survived two reviews, was caught off a no-ball, had a six prevented by athletic Sanju Samson fielding over the rope and finished with three sixes before he was out for 54 off 36 balls.

Wade put on 90 with Maxwell for the third wicket before he was leg before wicket to Shardul Thakur for 80 - his highest T20 score - off 53 balls with seven fours and two sixes.

Maxwell put on a typical 'Big Show' and chanced his luck as he unfurled his full repertoire of quirky shot making.

Maxwell top-edged Yuzvendra Chahal, was caught by Rahul on 19 and was on his way from the wicket before he was recalled for a no-ball. 

Samson then athletically saved four runs when he leapt after a massive Maxwell hit off Thakur.

Samson took the catch over the ropes and in the same motion hurled the ball back into the field of play as the batsmen crossed for only two.

Maxwell changed bats and next ball was dropped on 38 at deep backward point by Deepak Chahar off Thakur and celebrated next ball with a monster six over square leg.

Maxwell was dropped again on 53 by Chahal off Thakur before he was bowled by a Thangarasu Natarajan full toss for 54.

Skipper Aaron Finch, back in the side from injury, went the first ball he faced off slow bowler Washington Sundar, bunting it straight to Hardik Pandya at mid-off.

Steve Smith had a life on 18 with KL Rahul's mis-stumping but was bowled three balls later on 22 when he was deceived by a slower Sundar delivery going for a big hit only to miss and see his off-bail dislodged.

Wade had a big moment on 50 when Kohli, fielding deep, delayed calling for a review for leg before wicket off Natarajan but he was ruled late on the call and the review was disallowed. Replays showed Wade was out.

Unchanged India are chasing a 3-0 series sweep in Australia for the second time in five years after losing the preceding one-day international series 2-1.

India win toss, bowl in third Australia T20

India won the toss and opted to bowl in the third and final T20 international against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday.

Unchanged India are chasing a 3-0 series sweep in Australia for the second time in five years after losing the preceding one-day international series 2-1.

"We are going to bowl," skipper Virat Kohli said.

"There are shorter boundaries here and we had a good game last time. For the bowling line-up as well we wanted to be more professional and test ourselves."

Aaron Finch has recovered from injury and will return to lead Australia, with Marcus Stoinis out with a side strain in the only team change.

"We would have bowled first as well," Finch said. "It's a used wicket and hopefully we'll bat well tonight.

"We did see a bit of turn in the last game and expect the spinners to play key role in the middle overs." 

It will be the first time a cricket stadium will be allowed to host a 100 percent capacity crowd since the new Covid-19 protocols were announced recently by the NSW government.

Australia: Aaron Finch (capt), Matthew Wade, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Moises Henriques, D'Arcy Short, Sean Abbott, Daniel Sams, Mitchell Swepson, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa

India: Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli (capt), Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Deepak Chahar, Thangarasu Natarajan, Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal

Umpires: Gerard Abood (AUS) Rod Tucker (AUS)

TV umpire: Paul Wilson (AUS)

Match referee: David Boon (AUS)