IND vs AUS, 5th T20I | Australia Predicted XI vs India 

image-lpo322poAustralia have already lost the series against India (Source: AP Photos)

India have already clinched the five-match Twenty20 International series against Australia with a game to spare. The two nations are going to face off in the concluding match of the bilateral contest on December 3 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. 

After a poor performance in the third T20I, the Indian bowlers hit back hard on the visitors in the fourth T20I, defending 174 runs in Raipur. With the 2024 T20I World Cup only seven months away, it would be a handy exhibition for the young Indian group to showcase their potential.

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The Australians struggled in their first two games but rebounded with a win in Guwahati. Glenn Maxwell was the defining force in that run-fest, and he finished his two-and-a-half months stint in India on a high note. However, the setback continued in Raipur and now the visitors would be looking to finish off on a positive note.

Let us have a look at the predicted XI of Australia against India.


Openers: Travis Head and Josh Phillippe

Travis Head and Josh Phillipe are likely to form the opening pair for Australia in this dead-rubber. The former has been scintillating with the willow, racking up 181 runs from his last five matches. He was the player of the match in both the semi-final and final of the 2023 World Cup.

The Australian think tank may seek Josh Phillippe to bid for his position in the national team. He came into the scene with a huge potential but failed to grab previous opportunities with open arms.


Middle-Order: Ben McDermott, Tim David and Matthew Wade

Ben McDermott may play at one down while Tim David and Matthew Wade are likely to hold their position in the lower middle order. There have been glimpses of glamour from the two batters but have failed to be effective in most occasions. Although Wade succoured Maxwell in the chase during the third T20I, the others have are yet to blossom. 


All-rounders: Aaron Hardie, Matt Short and Chris Green 

It's a great opportunity for someone like Aaron Hardie to cement his position in the T20I format. Australia are never short on pace bowling all-rounders and with the likes of Marcus Stoinis, Mitch Marsh and Cameron Green in the ranks, Hardie has to do something special to gain the selectors' attention.

The equation is similar for Matt Short and Chris Green who have been offered with a chance in the absence of the senior pros. 


Bowlers: Ben Dwashuis, Jason Behrendorff and Kane Richardson

Australia may prune Tanveer Sangha and bring back Kane Richardson to test him with the ball. The Aussie think tank shuffled the squad quite well during the bilateral series and could offer a chance to the pacer. Jason Behrendorff is likely to open the bowling with the hard white ball while Ben Dwarshuis could be the other one operating in tandem at the start.



Australia Predicted XI against India 

Travis Head, Josh Phillippe, Ben McDermott, Aaron Hardie, Tim David, Matthew Wade (c/wk), Matt Short, Chris Green, Ben Dwarshuis, Jason Behrendorff, Kane Richardson