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India and Australia are set to face each other in a five-match T20I series later this week. The series will commence in Visakhapatnam on Thursday, November 23, followed by a game in Thiruvananthapuram three days later. The last three fixtures of the series will be held in Guwahati (November 28), Nagpur (December 01), and Hyderabad (December 03).
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has opted to provide rest to the senior members of the ODI World Cup 2023 squad, and the team will enter the series with younger players. Suryakumar Yadav has been appointed as the captain of the Indian team, marking his first assignment in the role of skipper.
India’s top-choice starting eleven for the initial three T20Is against Australia
Openers
Yashasvi Jaiswal: Yashasvi Jaiswal, an explosive left-handed batter, has been a consistent performer at the top of the order. Known for his aggressive style, he has a remarkable ability to provide explosive starts. His recent performances in showcase his adaptability and resilience under pressure, making him a valuable asset for India.
Ishan Kishan (wk): Ishan Kishan, a dynamic left-handed batter and wicketkeeper, brings versatility to the opening slot. With a combination of stylish stroke play and effective wicketkeeping skills, Kishan is a reliable player. He was also part of the Indian cricket team for the ODI World Cup 2023, adding experience to the side.
Middle Order
Ruturaj Gaikwad (vice-captain): Ruturaj Gaikwad, the vice-captain, is a stylish right-handed batter who excels in the one-down position. His consistent performances and ability to stabilize the innings make him a key player. Ruturaj’s batting technique and calm demeanor under pressure add depth to India’s middle order. He also led India to gold medal glory in the Asian Games 2023, showcasing leadership qualities.
Tilak Varma: Tilak Varma, a young and promising right-handed batter has showcased remarkable potential in recent outings. Tilak has played 10 T20I games, scoring 231 runs at an average of 38.50 and smashing 2 half-centuries. His ability to play under pressure and contribute significantly to the team’s success makes him an exciting prospect in the middle order.
Suryakumar Yadav (captain): Suryakumar Yadav, the aggressive right-handed batter, has been a pillar of strength in the middle order. Leading the team with his aggressive captaincy and impactful batting, Suryakumar’s leadership skills have played a crucial role in India’s recent successes. However, he had a dismal ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign as a batter and scored only 106 runs in 7 innings. This will be a massive opportunity for Suryakumar Yadav as skipper.
Rinku Singh: Rinku Singh, a left-handed batter, brings experience and power-hitting capability to the middle order. His ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when required adds depth and versatility to India’s batting lineup. Rinku also had a terrific outing for Uttar Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2023-24 season, indicating good form.
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All-rounders
Washington Sundar: Washington Sundar, a right-handed batter and off-spin bowler, is a valuable all-rounder. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball, coupled with effective off-spin, provides balance to the team in crucial situations.
Axar Patel: Axar Patel, a left-handed batter and left-arm orthodox spinner, is a key all-rounder. Known for his tight bowling and lower-order batting prowess, Axar’s contributions with both bat and ball make him an indispensable asset. He missed the CWC 2023 campaign due to a hamstring injury sustained during Asia Cup 2023. Now he will be looking to leave an impact in his comeback.
Bowlers
Ravi Bishnoi: Ravi Bishnoi, a leg-spin bowler, adds a spin dimension to the bowling attack. His variations and ability to pick up crucial wickets in the middle overs make him an exciting prospect in the bowling department. Kuldeep Yadav has also been rested for the five-match T20I series against Australia, and this will allow Ravi to lead India’s spin-bowling attack.
Arshdeep Singh: Arshdeep Singh, a left-arm medium-fast bowler, brings variety to the pace bowling lineup. His left-arm pace and ability to swing the ball make him effective, especially in providing early breakthroughs. Arshdeep has played 36 T20I games for India and has taken 54 wickets so far in his career.
Prasidh Krishna: Prasidh Krishna, a right-arm fast-medium bowler, is a potent force in the fast-bowling department. With pace and accuracy, he has the ability to trouble batter and make early breakthroughs, making him a key asset for India. Krishna will be looking to grab this opportunity to make his name in the T20 World Cup squad next year
This well-rounded playing eleven boasts a combination of experience and youth, providing a balanced team for the T20I series against Australia. Each player brings unique strengths, contributing to the team’s overall success.
