Travis Head replaced; Glenn Maxwell to return? Australia strongest XI for 4th T20I vs India

Head won't play 4th T20I; Maxwell could return [Source: AFP]

Australia had a torrid time in the third T20I against India, losing the game comprehensively by five wickets. Led by Mitchell Marsh, Australia are gearing up to take on India in the penultimate clash of the five-match series. 

The highly anticipated encounter will be played at Carrara Oval in Gold Coast and holds significant importance for both teams, as a win here will result in an unassailable lead of 2-1 for either of them. As the hosts get ready for the crucial fourth T20I against India, here we analyse to find their most potent combination. 

Who will replace Travis Head as AUS opener in 4th T20I vs IND?

Australia will miss Travis Head, who has been released from the T20I squad to play South Australia's Sheffield Shield encounter against Tasmania and prepare for the Ashes. Australia have two options to replace him. They can either bring Josh Philippe or promote Matthew Short up the order. 

The curious case of Matthew Short and Glenn Maxwell

Hailed for his all-round prowess, Matthew Short batted in the middle order in Australia vs India fourth T20I. However, with Travis Head not participating in the fourth T20I, the hosts might promote Short to the opening slot, especially if Glenn Maxwell receives fitness clearance to feature in the penultimate clash. 

In fact, Australian captain Mitchell Marsh is optimistic about Maxwell's T20I comeback for the fourth game of the India series. 

"Hopefully he’ll be fit and available for Thursday. He’s such an experienced T20 campaigner - we’d love to have him back," Marsh had stated in the post-match presentation after third T20I. 

If Maxwell is available, Short could fill up Head's void at the Australian top order. Short has been successful as an opener in T20 cricket, amassing 2460 runs at an average of 30.75 and a strike rate of 149.72. 

Meanwhile, if Maxwell doesn't get fit in time, Josh Philippe will likely come in for Travis Head. However, in that case, Short might still open the batting, with Philippe getting slotted lower down the order. 

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Ben Dwarshuis likely to come in for Sean Abbott

(Ben Dwarshuis in T20Is in 2025)

Sean Abbott, who played the third T20I, has been released from Australia's T20I squad to play for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield. Left-arm pacer Ben Dwarshuis will likely replace him in the Australian playing XI. 

Dwarshuis has been prolific in T20Is this year, scalping 15 wickets in eight matches at an impressive strike rate of 12.80. He can swing the new ball and his ability to play useful cameos down the order could also help the Aussies against India. 

Kuhnemann out, Tanveer Sangha in

(Kuhnemann has failed to live up to the expectations in AUS vs IND T20Is)

Matthew Kuhnemann has had a tough time with the ball in Australia's T20I series against India. The left-arm spinner has yet to pick up a wicket, conceding 67 runs at an ordinary economy of 8.38. So, given that the Indian batters have comfortably dealt with Kuhnemann, Australia could bring in Tanveer Sangha as his replacement for the fourth T20I. In seven T20Is, Sangha has ten wickets under his belt at a strike rate of 16.8. 

Australia's strongest playing XI for 4th T20I vs India

Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Short, Josh Inglis (WK), Tim David, Glenn Maxwell (if not fit then Josh Philippe), Mitchell Owen, Marcus Stoinis, Xavier Bartlett, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Tanveer Sangha

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