India, on the verge of another overseas series victory, will try to overcome batting shortcomings and conclude the tour of Australia with authority, when the two teams play in the fifth and final T20 International in Brisbane on Saturday.
India has extended their 17-year run of winning T20I series in Australia with a commanding 2-1 lead in the five-match series, and Suryakumar Yadav and company will aim to finish well.
When the two teams play for the final time before next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, the emphasis will be on Shubman Gill and captain Suryakumar Yadav’s batting, while Australia will try to counter India’s spin challenge.
India displayed sharper tactical awareness in the previous game, smartly adapting to the tricky Carrara surface. Gill set the tone in a strong opening stand that took them to 121 for 2 in 14 overs, before a late collapse saw four wickets tumble for just 15 runs.
Gill, the vice-captain, hasn’t scored a fifty in seven innings, but his 46 in the fourth Twenty20 was an indication that his form was improving.
The fluid touch that has characterized Gill’s batting in recent years has not fully materialized. In the last game, he appeared composed before a slower ball dismantled him. The opener will be keen to end on a positive note and allay team management’s worries.
Throughout the series, Suryakumar has also displayed moments of brilliance, but he has had trouble converting his starts. Prior to the South Africa series next month, the captain is expected to bat more freely and set an example.
Another batter who hasn’t found his rhythm is Tilak Varma, who has managed scores of 0, 29, and 5 in his last three appearances.
Wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma who has played ahead of Sanju Samson in the last two games but hasn’t had much of an effect, will also be under pressure.
However, Abhishek Sharma has solidified his reputation to be the best T20 batter in the globe by scoring a smooth half-century and making quick starts.
With Axar Patel hitting an 11-ball 21 in the previous game, India’s bottom order has also contributed significantly. The team has benefited from depth and versatility because to the availability of all-rounders at Nos. 7 and 8.
Arshdeep Singh has once again shown his value for India in the bowling department by taking four wickets and working well with Jasprit Bumrah with the new ball in hand.
Despite Kuldeep Yadav’s absence, India has benefited greatly from the spin combination of Varun, Axar, and Washington. Shivam Dube and Washington have both contributed significantly with the bat and the ball.
While Dube’s 23-ball 49 helped India win the third T20, Washington’s 3/3 in the fourth T20 sealed the match. In the match, Dube also made 18 from 22 and claimed two wickets.
The fourth Twenty20 match revealed Australia’s vulnerability to strong spin once more. At the Carrara Oval, Washington Sundar, Axar, and Varun Chakaravarthy took six wickets in less than ten overs.
Tim David, Marcus Stoinis, and captain Mitchell Marsh have been crucial to the visitors’ batting. Their chances in the previous game were harmed by Travis Head’s absence, as they were unable to chase down a meager 168.
In this series, all-rounder Matthew Short, who has been successful as an opener, batted lower in the order but was unable to make an impression at the top while Head was away. On Saturday, he will be eager to make amends.
Josh Hazlewood’s absence has also been felt because the home team’s bowling assault has lacked penetration.
Ben Dwarshuis went wicketless in the fourth Twenty20, but Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa have shouldered much of the responsibility. In the last game, the hosts may decide to give Mahli Beardman a debut.
Teams (from):
India: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill (VC), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson (WK), Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar
Australia: Mitchell Marsh (C), Matthew Short, Josh Inglis (WK), Josh Philippe (WK), Mitchell Owen, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Kuhnemann, Adam Zampa, Mahli Beardman, Ben Dwarshuis, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Marcus Stoinis
