Australia vs India: Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell is returning to action for the upcoming T20 series against India after recovering from a wrist injury. Meanwhile, several major changes have been made to the squad, and young fast bowler Mahli Beardman could be handed a surprise international debut.
Australian team management has instructed several key players to play in Sheffield Shield matches to prepare for the Ashes Test series against England, starting November 21st. As part of this strategy, Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped from the squad ahead of the final ODI. Additionally, Josh Hazlewood (first two T20Is) and Sean Abbott (first three T20Is) will also leave the T20I squad after playing their scheduled matches to prepare for red-ball cricket.
Maxwell, who missed the T20I series against New Zealand in September due to a wrist injury, is now fully fit and will be part of the team for the final three matches of the T20I series against India. Young Western Australia fast bowler Mahli Beardman has been included in the T20I squad, marking a significant international debut for him. In addition to Maxwell, the T20I squad also includes Ben Dwarshuis, Josh Philippe, and Mahli Beardman.
20-year-old Mahli Beardman was part of the Australian team that won the Under-19 World Cup last year, taking 10 wickets in that tournament. Fast bowler Ben Dwarshuis will be part of the squad for the fourth and fifth T20 matches. Wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Philippe has also been included in the squad for all five T20 matches.
Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood will only play in the first two T20Is. Sean Abbott will not be part of the squad for the final two. This will give both fast bowlers a chance to prepare for the Ashes series. The first match of the Ashes series between Australia and England is scheduled to take place in Perth on November 21st. Two Sheffield Shield matches are also scheduled in Australia before that match.
Australian Squad for Sydney ODI: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Jack Edwards, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa.
Australia currently lead the three-match ODI series 2-0, with the final match set for Saturday (Oct 25) in Sydney.
Australia’s T20I Squad vs India: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Glenn Maxwell (last three matches), Josh Hazlewood (first two matches), Sean Abbott (first three matches), Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman (last three matches), Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis (last two matches), Nathan Ellis, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe (wk), Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa.
AUS vs IND T20I Series Schedule:
First T20I: October 29, Canberra
Second T20I: October 31, Melbourne
Third T20I: November 2, Hobart
Fourth T20I: November 6, Gold Coast
Fifth T20I: November 8, Brisbane.
