The Australian cricket team, marching with the vigor of their recent ODI World Cup triumph in 2023, is set to take on India in the opening T20I of the five-match series during their 2023 tour. This exciting clash is set to unfold at the Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Thursday, November 23, with the evening duel kicking off at 7:00 PM IST.
Carrying the winning momentum from a decisive 3-0 series crush against South Africa, the Australian squad is eager to seize the T20 trophy on Indian soil, further asserting their dominance on the world stage.
At the forefront of the Aussie batting order when they hit the pitch will be Travis Head, their ODI maestro who tallied an imposing 329 runs across six World Cup matches. Head’s role proved instrumental in Australia clinching their record sixth World Cup title, and the opener is now eyeing to carry that splendid form into the forthcoming T20I battles.
Joining Travis Head is Matthew Short, the Big Bash dynamo who stood out as the second top run-scorer last season, amassing a hefty 458 runs in just 14 outings. Short is expected to fill the void left by power-hitter David Warner, who has taken a step back from the squad post the World Cup celebrations.
Steve Smith, a name synonymous with reliability and skill, is set to steer the middle-order. Smith, who played a pivotal role in their World Cup victory, is eager to fortify his T20 record against India, especially since a half-century eludes him in this format against the cricketing giant.
Power-hitter Tim David, another cornerstone of the Australian middle, aims to leverage his understanding of Indian pitches – an insight gained through his stint with the Mumbai franchise in the Indian T20 League. Tim David’s hard-hitting flair is anticipated to be a crucial asset for the visitors.
Leading the team for the upcoming series is the seasoned Matthew Wade, whose batting prowess was on full display as he emerged the second-highest run-getter for Hobart Hurricanes last season.
In the all-rounders’ slot, Glenn Maxwell, with his fastest century and remarkable double ton in the ODI World Cup, offers explosive batting options, complemented well by Marcus Stoinis, though coming off a modest World Cup outing, brings to the table his proficiency both with the bat and ball in T20Is.
The bowling brigade is led by Adam Zampa, the top wicket-taker at the World Cup, whose leg-spin expertise will be pivotal against India’s formidable batting lineup. Sean Abbott leads the pace attack following his stellar performance as the Big Bash’s leading wicket-taker, posing a threat in the death overs.
Nathan Ellis, another Big Bash standout, and the paceman from Perth Scorchers’ title-winning campaign, Jason Behrendorff, complete the Australian fast bowling arsenal, looking to add to their impressive international wickets tally in India.
Australia’s predicted playing XI overflowing with talent and strategic prowess, standing as follows: Travis Head, Matthew Short, Steve Smith, Tim David, Matthew Wade (c & wk), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, and Jason Behrendorff.
As the countdown to the series begins, Australian and Indian cricket fans alike eagerly await what promises to be a thrilling showdown. Stay updated with the latest World Cup 2023 updates, schedules, and sports news on the official platforms and download the NDTV Cricket app for all the live action on-the-go.