Australia currently leads the T20I series against India with one victory. As the two teams head into their next match, the spotlight is on Glenn Maxwell, who is making his comeback after recovering from a wrist fracture. His return offers new opportunities for Australia, particularly against India’s spinners.
Maxwell’s Impact on the Series
Maxwell’s inclusion in the squad adds depth to Australia’s batting line-up, particularly after the struggles against India’s bowlers. His T20I history against India reveals a mixed record against wrist spinners. He holds a strike rate of 165.30 against Kuldeep Yadav but has been dismissed five times in just 49 balls. Similarly, he has a strike rate of 151.51 against Varun Chakravarthy with five dismissals in 33 balls.
Team Dynamics and Strategy
Meanwhile, India is looking to strengthen their strategy with Sanju Samson adapting to a new role in the batting order. As he settles into the No. 5 or No. 6 position, his performance will be crucial. India is assessing how to maintain versatility in their T20 approach, aiming to be competitive regardless of the conditions ahead of the T20 World Cup in early 2024.
Potential Changes to Line-Ups
- Australia’s Probable XI:
- Mitchell Marsh (captain)
- Travis Head
- Josh Inglis (wicketkeeper)
- Tim David
- Glenn Maxwell
- Mitchell Owen or Matthew Short
- Marcus Stoinis
- Xavier Bartlett
- Nathan Ellis
- Sean Abbott or Mahli Beardman
- Matt Kuhnemann
- India’s Probable XI:
- Shubman Gill
- Abhishek Sharma
- Suryakumar Yadav (captain)
- Tilak Varma
- Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper)
- Axar Patel
- Shivam Dube or Rinku Singh
- Harshit Rana
- Kuldeep Yadav or Arshdeep Singh
- Varun Chakravarthy
- Jasprit Bumrah
Pitch Conditions and Expectations
As the T20 series continues in Hobart, early-season pitch conditions may impact scoring. Historical data shows varying first-innings totals, from an average of 190 in peak season to 148 in earlier matches. The forecasts predict a clear day with evening temperatures dropping into the low 20s.
Milestones Within Reach
- Sanju Samson is five runs shy of 1,000 T20I runs.
- Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma need 38 and 64 runs, respectively, to reach the same milestone.
- Tim David is 50 runs away from joining the 1,000 runs club.
- Glenn Maxwell is one wicket away from achieving 50 T20I wickets, while Marcus Stoinis is three wickets away.
- Jasprit Bumrah needs two more wickets to reach the 100 milestone in T20Is.
India historically maintains a positive win-loss ratio against T20I teams, having won 20 matches and lost 12 against Australia. This upcoming match marks India’s first T20I in Hobart, leading to heightened anticipation as teams look to showcase their skills before the World Cup.
