IND vs AUS, 4th T20I | Playing 11 Prediction, Cricket Tips, Preview & Live Streaming

The fourth T20I will be played in Raipur [AP]

A thrilling run-chase against India in the previous T20I brought Australia firmly back in contention ahead of the fourth game of the five-match series in Raipur on Friday (December 1). The spirited Aussies strive to take one step forward in equalising the challenge and set up a special decider versus the Men in Blue. 

The hosts will have to withstand the visitors' momentum and zeal acquired following the outcome in Guwahati and resolve their issues with the inexperienced pace battery if they are to achieve an unassailable grip over the series. 

Suryakumar Yadav's men will have to pack a solid punch to restore dominance on the visitors, who will go further understrength with the departure of their match-winners Glenn Maxwell and Josh Inglis. 

IND vs AUS: Team Previews 

India 

Much of the headache revolves around fast bowling for India. Even as their spinners Ravi Bishnoi and Axar Patel have provided control and breakthroughs through the middle order, the pace trio of Mukesh Kumar, Prasidh Krishna and Arshdeep Singh have all proven expensive on flat decks. 

Mukesh has still been the pick of the three with his slightly respectable economy rate of nine after the first two matches, but Prasidh (13.25) and Arshdeep (10.92) have struggled to maintain any sort of leash on Aussies, especially at the death. 

India lead the series by 2-1 [AP]

The team management led by stand-in coach VVS Laxman could ponder over a two-fold change to the pace department in the coming game, leaving out the Prasidh-Arshdeep duo and giving comeback man Deepak Chahar and Avesh Khan, who played the last match in Mukesh's absence, a run for the previous two games. 

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The rest of the line-up picks itself, although India will still have to revisit their batting strategy and the use of the sixth bowling option in Tilak Varma. The last match's centurion, Ruturaj Gaikwad, bagged all the accolades, but his slow start - 21* off 21 - had a significant negative impact on his side's fortunes. 

Australia 

Australia's problems have been similar. Their backup fast-bowling arsenal has been brutally exposed and neutralised by Indian batting throughout the high-scoring series. Barring left-arm quick Jason Behrendorff with an economy rate of 4.62, none of Sean Abbott (14.49), Nathan Ellis (10.42), and Marcus Stoinis (10.50) have offered any control and respite. 

Resting big-name World Cup seamers, the selectors would've hoped to see greater skill and range on display from these quicks to withstand the Indian assault. However, they've all failed to deliver and inspired minimal confidence in creating a space for themselves in the regular first-choice outfit ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup. 

Australia won the 3rd T20I [AP]

On the spin front, the departure of senior wrist spinner Adam Zampa after the third T20I once again puts the focus and scrutiny on young Tanveer Sangha, who has been treated severely in the past three games with none of the Indian batters, allowing him to settle on his lengths.

Batting may have flexed its weight in the last game, but their bowling will determine whether Australia can stretch the winning ways by another outing and establish parity in the series in Raipur. 

IND vs AUS: Match Details & Live Streaming 

IND vs AUS: Raipur Pitch Report 

The large outfield and a dryish playing surface make Raipur's Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium a better ground for bowlers, who need some relief and revival after the battering experienced on both sides in the last three matches. 

Dew could, however, still spoil their party and tilt the scales in favour of the batters. Also, considering it's a rare outing at the venue and in the city, it's highly likely that the curator will dish out a flat batting surface for this one. 

IND vs AUS: Probable Playing XIs

India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav (c), Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Deepak Chahar, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar 

Australia: Travis Head, Matthew Short, Aaron Hardie, Josh Phillippe, Ben McDermott, Tim David, Matthew Wade (c & wk), Nathan Ellis, Jason Behrendorff, Tanveer Sangha, Kane Richardson

IND vs AUS: Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

IND vs AUS: Winner Prediction

Given that Australia will be further understrength for this match, India have an excellent opportunity to come back hard in the series. The fast bowling needs sorting out, but the hosts remain firm favourites to clinch the victory and an unassailable lead. 

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