IND vs AUS 5th T20I | Five Player Battles To Watch Out For

image-lpob0cxgIndia and Australia will lock horns in Bengaluru. (AP)

With a commanding 3-1 lead in the series, Team India's triumph in the third T20I has already secured the series victory, rendering the upcoming fifth T20I in Bengaluru a mere formality. As the Indian team heads into the dead rubber, the focus shifts to relishing the game without significant stakes. Meanwhile, Australia aims to showcase its prowess in all facets of the game, seeking to outshine a newly potent Indian team before a vibrant Bengaluru crowd.

Ahead of the fourth T20I in Raipur, India made four changes to their XI, introducing Deepak Chahar, Mukesh Kumar, Shreyas Iyer, and Jitesh Sharma. While Iyer and Mukesh failed to capitalise on their opportunities, Jitesh, in particular, shone with power-hitting alongside Rinku Singh, propelling India to a formidable total. 

The standout performer of the evening was Axar Patel, who clinched three crucial wickets, well-supported by the rest of the bowling unit. The Indian openers laid a solid foundation, with Rinku and Jitesh providing essential momentum to the innings. Rinku, in particular, displayed sensible batting and seized opportunities effectively.

Australia's bowlers put up a commendable performance to restrict India's strong batting lineup. However, the Australian batters faced a daunting task against India's spinners, resulting in a disappointing show. Despite Travis Head's quick start, the lack of support from other batters, who succumbed to rash shots, proved detrimental.

While Tim David and Matthew Short displayed resilience, skipper Matthew Wade's valiant 36* off 23 balls fell short as they ultimately failed to chase the challenging target, losing by 20 runs. To salvage a win, the Australian batters must step up, and the iconic Chinnaswamy Stadium offers the perfect stage for redemption. In this article, we look at the five player battles to watch out for in this game.

Yashasvi Jaiswal vs Aaron Hardie

image-lpoa46edYashasvi Jaiswal. (AP)

Yashasvi Jaiswal faces a challenge against right-arm seamer Aaron Hardie, who troubled him in the previous game. Jaiswal, despite some notable innings, aims to come alive in the final T20I, while Hardie seeks to strangle him with tight lines.

Ben McDermott vs Axar Patel 

image-lpoa5zbzAxar Patel. (AP)

Axar Patel, the star of the bowling department in the previous game, looks to outfox Ben McDermott again. Playing his first game in the series, McDermott struggled against Axar's spin and needs to play him better in the upcoming match.

Deepak Chahar vs Travis Head

image-lpoa7dmdTravis Head. (APL

Travis Head, who got a start in the last game but fell to Axar Patel, is unlikely to get out to spinners given the ground dimensions. Facing the new ball under lights, Deepak Chahar aims to capitalise on any assistance for fast bowlers and dismiss Head early to provide an ideal start for India.

Tanveer Sangha vs Shreyas Iyer

image-lpoa86c1Tanveer Sangha. (Getty)

Shreyas Iyer, who fell to Tanveer Sangha in the last game, looks to bounce back against the young leg spinner. Known for his ability to handle spin well, Iyer will be eager to face Sangha again and showcase his prowess against spinners.

Jason Behrendorff vs Jitesh Sharma

image-lpoa9x1fJitesh Sharma. (AP)

Jitesh Sharma, who scored a brisk 35 off 19 balls in his first outing after the Asian Games 2023, faces a challenge against left-arm pacer Jason Behrendorff. Known for his aggressive style, Jitesh aims to be a difficult batter to bowl to, while Behrendorff poses a threat to the battle's outcome. The clash between these players adds an intriguing element to the upcoming game.