Last Updated on 6 months ago by Charbel Coorey

India have flexed their T20 muscle once again, storming to a 2-1 series lead. Their victory on the Gold Coast was impressive as it wasn’t all smooth sailing, firstly fighting their way to 167/8 and then inflicting a huge collapse on hosts Australia.

Australia now face a must-win game to salvage the series. The batting order faltered badly on a Gold Coast surface that was a little two-paced, and they should enjoy conditions more at the Gabba, weather permitting.

For India, a more impactful innings from Shubman Gill would be the big tick. Also, runs for the likes of Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma will come in handy as preparations ramp up for next year’s T20 World Cup.

AUS vs IND 5th T20 2025 Possible Playing XIs

Australia could hand a debut to 20-year-old fast bowler Mahli Beardman. Also, Mitch Owen could come back into the XI.

Australia: 1. Mitch Marsh (c), 2. Matt Short, 3. Josh Inglis (wk), 4. Tim David, 5. Glenn Maxwell, 6. Josh Philippe/Mitch Owen, 7. Marcus Stoinis, 8. Ben Dwarshuis, 9. Xavier Bartlett/Mahli Beardman, 10. Nathan Ellis, 11. Adam Zampa

India have been willing to try different combinations in this series, but they may stick with the same XI here.

India: 1. Abhishek Sharma, 2. Shubman Gill, 3. Suryakumar Yadav (c), 4. Tilak Varma, 5. Axar Patel, 6. Washington Sundar, 7. Jitesh Sharma (wk), 8. Shivam Dube, 9. Arshdeep Singh, 10. Varun Chakravarthy, 11. Jasprit Bumrah

Gabba Brisbane Pitch Report and Weather

In the last 10 men’s T20s, the average first innings score is 163.7 at a run rate of 8.38. The chasing team has won the last five matches.

Fast bowlers have taken 89 wickets in this period at an average of 20.29 and economy of 8.32. Spinners have also enjoyed some success with 78 wickets at an average of 22.64 and economy of 8.76.

Unfortunately, there is a chance of showers in Brisbane on Saturday evening. Because of the chance of interruptions, the captain who wins the toss will almost certainly field first.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for AUS vs IND 5th T20 2025: Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Top wicket-keeper picks:

• Josh Inglis is searching for his best form with just 33 runs in three innings so far this series. He has scored 106 runs in five T20s at the Gabba (avg. 35.33, SR 151.43).

Key batter picks:

• Abhishek Sharma is the leading run scorer in this series (140) with a strike rate of 159.09. He can fire on a true Gabba pitch. According to SPODA AI data, Abhishek has a 61.54% chance of crossing 20, which is the highest of any player in this match.
• Mitchell Marsh has made numerous starts in this series. Is this the day he goes big? He has 100 runs in three T20 knocks at the Gabba at an average of 50 and strike rate of 138.89.
• Tim David has looked in strong form and fields in the hotspot positions. In nine T20s at the Gabba, David has smashed 222 runs at an average of 31.71 and strike rate of 151.02.
• Shubman Gill has worked hard for his runs in this series, but the fact he bats time means more run-scoring for fantasy cricket. A true Gabba surface should suit him.

Top all-rounder picks:

• Axar Patel stormed back to his best at the Gold Coast. He offers plenty at no. 5 or as a finisher, as he showed in the fourth T20I. Also, Axar has 17 wickets in 11 innings against Australia (SR 14.47).
• Marcus Stoinis is a genuine captain/vice captain option in Dream11. He has an outstanding batting record on this ground with 380 runs at an average of 54.29 and strike rate of 160.34. Stoinis is also a key bowler in this Australia team.

Key bowler picks:

• Nathan Ellis has been superb with his variations. He is the top wicket-taker in this series (9). Ellis also has 11 wickets in seven T20s at the Gabba (avg. 18.36, SR 13.64).
• Australia have struggled to deal with Varun Chakravarthy. Spinners have been in the wickets in the last 10 T20s at the Gabba, so back Varun to take more wickets.
• Jasprit Bumrah is one wicket away from 100 in T20Is. He hasn’t taken the big wickets in this series, but he and Arshdeep Singh should find swing upfront in the Brisbane conditions.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Xavier Bartlett has the second-most wickets (31) of any player in men’s T20s at the Gabba. He strikes every 12.42 deliveries on average.
• Glenn Maxwell offers plenty of fantasy potential. He didn’t bowl in the fourth T20I but there is a chance he bowls in the fifth game. However, Maxwell has a poor batting record on this ground: 11 inns, 154 runs, avg. 14.00, SR 165.59.
• Shivam Dube has played a key role with the ball at times in this series. This has resulted in wickets. Also, India could use him as a floater in the batting order which offers fantasy value.
• Matt Short opens the batting, so try him in some of your Dream11 teams. However, he averages just 18.50 in eight T20s at the Gabba and still has question marks in terms of how he plays spin.
• Suryakumar Yadav has had a quiet series since the Canberra washout. He has the potential to fire with 323 T20I runs in Australia at an average of 46.14 and strike rate of 184.57.
• Washington Sundar provides impact down the order and can drift the ball away from the right-handers. Whether India trust him to bowl more overs against Australia’s right-handers remains to be seen.

Other Stats and Important Matchups

• Head-to-head in T20Is: Matches 36, Australia 12, India 22, N/R 2.
• Adam Zampa in T20s at the Gabba: 10 inns, 11 wickets, avg. 22.64, SR 18.
• Abhishek Sharma has been dismissed six times in 80 balls against left-arm seam in T20s this year. Can Ben Dwarshuis get this prized wicket?
• Arshdeep Singh vs Mitchell Marsh in all T20s: 27 balls, 45 runs, three wickets.
• Jasprit Bumrah vs Glenn Maxwell in all T20s: 65 balls, 75 runs, seven wickets.
• Axar Patel vs Marcus Stoinis in all T20s: 52 balls, 36 runs, four wickets.
• Axar Patel vs Glenn Maxwell in T20 Internationals: 28 balls, 32 runs, two wickets.

AUS vs IND 5th T20 2025 Dream11 Prediction

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams. 

Option 1:

Option 2:

AUS vs IND 5th T20 2025 Match Prediction: Who will win?

India to win, weather permitting.

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All statistics and matchups in this article have been verified by ESPNcricinfo and Cricmetric.