Tim David, Marcus Stoinis In; Here's Australia's Playing XI For 1st T20I Vs India 

image-lp9m416kTim David (Twitter)

Unlike India, who have rested nearly all of their World Cup 2023 squad members, Australia adopted a more balanced approach in selection for the coming five-match T20I series, starting Thursday (November 23) in Visakhapatnam.  

The 2021 world champions rested key players following a super quick turnaround from the highs of Ahmedabad but also retained a few critical cogs part of their wheel for the shortest format. 

Their 15-member squad led by stand-in captain Matthew Wade features multiple World Cup picks in the form of Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa, Sean Abbott and Josh Inglis. 

The rest of the playing contingent boasts of rising Big Bash League (BBL) talents and also players who have been part of the senior squad's fringes. It's a great opportunity for the likes of Matthew Short, Tim David, Jason Behrendorff and Nathan Ellis to bolster their cases for regular selection ahead of the next men's T20 World Cup in the Caribbean & USA. 



With allrounder Aaron Hardie, pacer Spencer Johnson and backup spinner Tanveer Sangha also part of the mix, the selectors have much to ponder over before finalising their playing XI for each match of the series. A winning start would allow Australia a greater luxury to rest and rotate players over five games and test their entire squad and its depth by the conclusion of the trip. 

The conditions in Visakhapatnam would dictate the choices to be made. A strip known for its dry nature on a ground with under lights dew expected would compel the decision-makers to pick a rather balanced attack and overall playing combination. 

Australia are fortunate to have multiple all-rounders in Maxwell, Stoinis and Abbott part of their top 8 with the added luxury of part-time spinner Head. It will allow them to stick to their playing strength in terms of fast-bowling options without having to throw inexperienced Sangha in the heat of the battle. 

On the batting front, Maxwell and Stoinis will be equally pivotal to the end-overs cause alongside skipper Matthew Wade in a power-packed unit emboldened by the presence of Smith and Head at the top and aspiring middle-order options Matthew Short and Tim David. For Smith, it's a litmust test and perhaps the final chance to revive his T20I career after earning his selection on the back of pair of BBL centuries at the height of the Australian summer. 

Australia's Probable Playing XI For 1st T20I Vs India 

Travis Head, Matthew Short, Steve Smith, Tim David, Matthew Wade (c & wk), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Sean Abbott, Adam Zampa, Jason Behrendorff, Spencer Johnson