Last Updated on 27 seconds by Charbel Coorey
After winning the ODI series 2-1 against India, Australia’s focus now shifts to the T20Is against the same opposition. The five-match series kicks off at Manuka Oval in Canberra on Wednesday, October 29.
Australia have been in excellent form in T20Is. Since missing the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup, the Aussies have won 16 of 18 completed matches. Power-hitting right down the batting lineup has been a key factor to their success, and the hosts are sure to go in with a powerful unit once again despite one eye on next month’s Ashes series.
Before we look at the predicted XI for the series opener, here is a reminder of Australia’s squad. There are a few moving parts, with Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott only available for the first two and three matches respectively. Ben Dwarshuis, Mahli Beardman and Glenn Maxwell are available later in the series.
Mitchell Marsh (captain), Sean Abbott (games 1-3), Xavier Bartlett, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis (games 4-5), Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood (games 1-2), Mahli Beardman (games 3-5), Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell (games 3-5), Josh Philippe, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Matt Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
Australia possible 11 for 1st T20 against India: Powerful top 7 once again
1. Travis Head, 2. Mitchell Marsh (c), 3. Matt Short, 4. Josh Inglis (wk), 5. Tim David, 6. Marcus Stoinis, 7. Mitch Owen, 8. Sean Abbott, 9. Nathan Ellis, 10. Adam Zampa, 11. Josh Hazlewood
Expect Australia to stick with a similar formula to their last T20I against New Zealand. Travis Head, the in-form Mitchell Marsh and Matt Short form the top three, with Josh Inglis expected to return from a calf injury at number four. If Inglis doesn’t play, Josh Philippe is the reserve wicket-keeping option.
Tim David, Marcus Stoinis and Mitch Owen round out a strong top seven.
Short in the XI allows Australia to consider three specialist pace bowlers in addition to Stoinis and Owen. Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis and Josh Hazlewood are often the first-choice options, and Australia could go with this combination first up.
Glenn Maxwell (games 3-5), Ben Dwarshuis (games 4-5) and Mahli Beardman (games 3-5) will join the squad later in the series. Beardman’s selection is testament to how highly the Australian selectors rate him, with the 20-year-old able to bowl speeds of 140km/h and above.
