The T20 World Champions, India is currently touring Australia for a white-ball series comprising of three ODIs and five T20I matches. While the hosts claimed the ODI series by 2-1 margin, the two teams
are currently locking horns in the five-match T20I series. With two matches already done in the T20I leg, the series stands 1-0 in favour of the hosts after they registered a comfortable four-wicket win in the second T20I in Melbourne after a washout in series opener in Canberra.
As the action now moves to Hobart where Australia will host India in the third T20I on Sunday, November 2, the home side will see a couple of changes in their squad. However, the side will be led by Mitchell Marsh, who is the whit-ball skipper, they will miss star pacer Josh Hazlewood.
Josh Hazlewood to miss remainder of T20I series to prepare for Ashes series 2025-26
The Aussie fast bowler will return home to prepare for the upcoming Ashes series, which is scheduled to commence from November 21 in Perth. The right-arm pacer aims to shift his focus on the red-ball practice after a quick show in the white-ball. Speaking after the second T20I, Hazlewood said, “ Heading home tomorrow. I’ll have a week to prepare for the Shield game against Victoria, then we head to Perth for the first Test. It’s important to get that red ball rhythm in, bowl consecutive overs, spend big days in the field – tick that off before the Test season starts .”
In the recently concluded second T20I in Melbourne, Hazlewood was adjudged the Player of the Match after he returned with figures of 3/13 in his four-over spell. He dismissed Shubman Gill, skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma, leaving India struggling in the powerplay.
Australia ’s squad for T20I series vs India :
Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott (games 1-3), Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman (games 3-5), Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis (games 4-5), Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood (games 1-2), Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell (games 3-5), Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa (unavailable for 1st T20I), Tanveer Sangha .
