The Asian Champions will fly to Australia for a bilateral T20I series later this month, seen as a dress rehearsal for the T20 World Cup at home next year. Precisely, India will play 15 T20Is before the mega
ICC event, five of them in Australia. Given their performance in the recently concluded Asia Cup, the Indian team management doesn’t seem to be making any serious changes to the winning combination. Unless circumstances demand otherwise.
Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill as Openers: Let The Friendship Flourish
The duo made a strong statement in the Asia Cup. No wonder if they repeat it Down Under. While Abhishek gets going like a wildfire, Gill is a calm destroyer. Their partnership gels so well that in the blink of an eye, they can take the game away.
And what if the management decides to rest Gill ahead of a long and hectic calendar, which also includes 2 Test matches after the Australia tour? In that case, Priyansh Arya won’t be a bad option to have. Thoughts?
Surya, Tilak, Sanju & Dube – The formidable middle-order
Tilak has been in red-hot form while Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson seem to be on the same boat, adrift in a sea of inconsistency. The Indian captain has to fire, like he did before leading India.
The same goes with Sanju Samson. He is fierce at the top of the order, but his tempo seems to go down while batting at no. 5. This Australia tour could be an opportunity for them to rediscover themselves.
Hardik Out, Nitish Reddy In
The quadricep injury, which didn’t allow him to play the Asia Cup final, would force him out. Media reports suggest that Pandya will be unavailable for selection, likely to be replaced by Nitish Kumar Reddy. Opportunity for Dube to be responsible again.
Jasprit Bumrah Could be Rested, Siraj In
Since India are slated to play a couple of Test matches after returning home, they will need Bumrah there. It follows with a hectic schedule till January before India’s T20 World Cup title defence at home. So, for the sake of his back, the selectors might rest him and bring in Siraj.
Eyes will also be on Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana as well.
Axar Adds Depth in Batting, Kuldeep-Varun add spin variety
Axar’s strokeplay, along with his wicket-taking skills, adds depth to the squad. Kuldeep is a clever hunter, while Chakravarthy is silent. Their abilities speak louder than they do. While the pacers are favourites in Australia, India have trusted their lethal weapons irrespective of the conditions.
It’s going to be a good headache for the coach and captain.
India’s Likely Squad for Australia T20Is:
Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill (VC), Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj.
Surprise Element: Priyansh Arya
Priyansh Arya, the youngster from Delhi, has emerged as a white-ball sensation in 2025. He was promising with the bat, scoring 475 runs in 17 matches with a century and a couple of fifties. He was picked for the first unofficial ODI against Australia A, where he scored a hundred.
Playing all IPL matches in the debut season and striking at 179 – the numbers ring a bell. Just like his India A call-up, it could be interesting watching him in Australia.
