India extended their 17-year unbeaten run in the T20I series against Australia with an unbeaten 2-1 lead in the five-match series. Suryakumar Yadav and his team will look to finish the tour on a high.
The focus will be on the batting of Shubman Gill and skipper Suryakumar Yadav as Australia look to combat India’s spin threat in their final face-to-face match before the World T20 in India and Sri Lanka next year.
India showed better tactical awareness in the previous match, adapting smartly to a difficult game in Karara. Gill got off to a good start as India reached 121 for 2 in 14 overs before a late collapse saw them lose four wickets for just 15 runs.
Vice-captain Gill went seven innings without a fifty, although his 46 in the fourth T20I showed signs of a return to form. The classy opener, who looked calm before going slower, will be ready to ditch the buzz and quell any worries with his rhythm.
Suriyakumar also showed brilliance but struggled to convert his starts. The captain is expected to play with more freedom and lead by example ahead of next month’s home series against South Africa.
Thilak Varma’s poor stretch continues with 0, 29 and 5 in the last three innings, while Jitesh Sharma, the wicket-taker who has been preferred to Sanju Samson in the last two matches, is yet to contribute much.
Abhishek Sharma, however, lived up to his billing as one of the most devastating T20 batsmen in world cricket, scoring fluent half-centuries to give India a buoyant start.
India’s lower order provided crucial depth, with Axar Patel scoring an 11-ball 21 in the previous match to boost the total. Having all-rounders at No. 7 and No. 8 gave the team valuable flexibility.
In the bowling department, Arshdeep Singh once again impressed, taking four wickets and forming an effective new-ball partnership with Jasprit Bumrah.
The Indian trio of Varun Chakraborty, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar have been a key force despite the absence of Kuldeep Yadav. Both Shivam Dube and Washington also made notable all-round contributions. Dube’s 23-ball 49 turned the tide for India’s third T20I, while Washington’s 3-for-3 spell sealed victory in the fourth. Dube also chipped in with 18 for 22 and two wickets in the game.
Australia, meanwhile, struggled with India’s influence. In the fourth T20I, Varun, Axar and Washington combined for six wickets in less than 10 overs at Karara Oval.
The hosts’ batting relied heavily on captain Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stoinis and Tim David. The absence of Travis Head hurt them in the last game as they failed to reach a modest 168.
All-rounder Matthew Short, who had thrived as an opener, was demoted down the order and failed to capitalize on Head’s absence. He will look to make amends in the final game.
Australia have also missed Josh Hazlewood’s control, their attack lacking penetration. Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa took the brunt of the bowling, while Ben Dwarshuis did not take a wicket in the previous match. The hosts may consider making Mahli the Bearded debut at the Gabba.
Commands (from):
India: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill (VC), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Varun Chakraborty, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson (WK), Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar.
Australia: Mitchell Marsh (C), Matthew Short, Josh Inglis (WK), Josh Phillip (WK), Mitchell Owen, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Kuneman, Adam Zampa, Mahli Birdman, Ben Dwarshuis, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Marcus Stoinis.
