Raipur, November 6 — Team India looks to gain the upper hand in the five-match T20I series against a depleted Australian side, with the teams currently tied 1-1. The fourth T20 International takes place here on Thursday, and all eyes focus on vice-captain Shubman Gill, who aims to break a string of lackluster performances.
The Australian squad misses key players, Josh Hazlewood and Travis Head, who are pivotal to their success. Hazlewood’s absence in the last match became clear when Australia failed to defend 186 runs effectively. Meanwhile, Head has shifted his focus to the Sheffield Shield to prepare for the upcoming Ashes series.
This match presents a significant opportunity for India to take a 2-1 lead. The final game awaits at the Gabba, and a win here could empower the team as they look to secure the series. In their last outing, India’s bowling lineup shone thanks to a balanced team composition, with all-rounders solidifying batting depth.
Despite the favorable conditions, Shubman Gill’s form casts a cloud over India’s chances. The elegant batsman has not scored a half-century in six innings, posting scores of 10, 9, 24, 37*, 5, and 15. Though he briefly exhibited signs of recovery in a partnership with captain Suryakumar Yadav in Canberra, Gill continues to falter against deliveries that swing away from him.
On a positive note, opener Abhishek Sharma keeps thrilling fans, demonstrating his prowess as the No. 1 T20 batter worldwide. He recorded an impressive half-century and has made impressive starts in previous matches.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav seeks to build on his superb form as well. He has displayed sparks of brilliance in both the first and third games and will aim to convert these starts into a substantial innings, especially with a month-long break coming up before their series against South Africa.
Match starts at 1:45 PM IST.
Teams:
India: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill (VC), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson (WK), Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar.
Australia: Mitchell Marsh (C), Matthew Short, Josh Inglis (WK), Josh Phillippe (WK), Mitchell Owen, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Kuhnemann, Adam Zampa, Mahli Beardman, Ben Dwarshuis, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Marcus Stoinis.
