In a keenly awaited clash between cricketing powerhouses, Australia is set to take on India in the opening T20 International of their five-match series on November 23, 2023. The venue for this high-octane encounter is the Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, with the first ball to be bowled at 7 PM IST. After clinching a resounding 3-0 series victory against South Africa and triumphing in the ODI World Cup 2023, the Australian T20 squad is soaring with confidence and looking to claim the T20 series on Indian soil.
Leading the charge at the top will be Travis Head, who had a stellar ODI World Cup performance, amassing 329 runs across six matches and thus playing a pivotal role in Australia’s sixth World Cup win. Joining him will be Matthew Short, who notched up 458 runs in the Big Bash League 2022-23, ending up as the second-highest run-scorer of the season. Short excels in his role, filling the gap left by David Warner post Australia’s ODI World Cup celebration.
The middle order comprises experienced campaigners like Steve Smith, who was instrumental during the World Cup with 302 runs in 10 games, Tim David, whose hard-hitting prowess yielded him 354 runs in the previous Big Bash League edition, and Matthew Wade, boasting 307 runs from the same tournament. Wade, with his dual role as captain and wicketkeeper, will seek to lead from the front in the upcoming series.
Turning to all-rounders, the flamboyant Glenn Maxwell is a key figure, fresh from his fastest century in World Cup history and the first Australian to hit a double ton in a 50-over format. Marcus Stoinis will aim to deliver his T20I career experience of 846 runs and 23 wickets, despite a tepid World Cup outing where he chalked up 87 runs and four wickets.
Australia’s formidable bowling lineup features Adam Zampa as the maestro leg-spinner who topped the wickets chart during the World Cup with 23 dismissals. His performance against India will be critical. Sean Abbott leads as a versatile all-rounder with the highest wicket-taker title from the Big Bash T20 league, claiming 29 wickets for Sydney Sixers. Among the pace battery, Nathan Ellis grabbed 18 wickets in the last Big Bash League, solidifying his place in the T20I contingent, while pacer Jason Behrendorff, with his impressive 21 wickets from the same league, rounds out the predicted playing eleven for the Australians.
As the two cricketing giants prepare for the opening encounter, the Australian squad—brimming with a blend of form, firepower, and strategic acumen—looks to stamp their authority on the T20I series. Australia’s predicted playing XI is set to include 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 anticipation builds, cricket fans around the world eagerly await to see if Australia can sustain their winning momentum and whether India can thwart the challenge posed by this formidable Australian lineup. Stay updated with the latest World Cup 2023 news, schedules, and sports updates, or immerse in the excitement by downloading the NDTV Cricket app for Android or iOS.