The international cricket schedule is on display with the upcoming T20I series between India and Australia. It’s questionable to start a five-match series just four days after an ODI World Cup final, especially considering both teams have already played each other extensively this year. Between Test series, ODIs, the World Test Championship final, and T20Is, India and Australia have met quite frequently. Australia’s involvement in the Ashes series and India’s participation in the Asia Cup and Asia Games only adds to the convoluted scheduling of this series.
Despite the scheduling issues, the series is set to begin, with India resting most of their World Cup squad and Australia keeping seven key players from their World Cup squad. Even though questions exist regarding the need for this series, it’s important to note that the next T20 World Cup is only seven months away, and these matches are key preparation for both teams.
Form guide
India WWWWL (last five completed T20Is, most recent first)
Australia WWWWW
In the spotlight: Kishan and Wade
The series will be an important opportunity for Ishan Kishan to solidify his spot as wicketkeeper ahead of the next World Cup. On the other side, Matthew Wade will be keen to showcase his skills, taking on the captaincy role in the absence of some key players. For both sides, these matches will be crucial to determine roles for the T20 World Cup next year.
Team news
India’s XI is uncertain, given their recent varied combinations, but it’s expected that Suryakumar will lead and Ishan Kishan will keep. Australia is looking for the right combination of players, with Steven Smith potentially returning to the side and Marcus Stoinis and Sean Abbott also likely to feature.
India (probable): 1 Ishan Kishan (wk), 2 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3 Suryakumar Yadav (capt), 4 Tilak Varma, 5 Shivam Dube, 6 Rinku Singh, 7 Axar Patel/Washington Sundar, 8 Ravi Bishnoi, 9 Arshdeep Singh, 10 Prasidh Krishna/Avesh Khan, 11 Mukesh Kumar
Australia (probable): 1 Steven Smith, 2 Matthew Short, 3 Aaron Hardie, 4 Josh Inglis, 5 Marcus Stoinis, 6 Tim David, 7 Matthew Wade (capt/wk), 8 Sean Abbott, 9 Nathan Ellis, 10 Jason Behrendorff, 11 Tanveer Sangha
Pitch and conditions
Conditions are expected to be humid with a chance of afternoon showers. Historically, the ball has dominated the bat in T20Is at the ground, and Australia will be looking to capitalize on the weather conditions and previous successes on the pitch.
