The purpose of all T20I matches until the 2026 T20 World Cup is to test the waters. Winning and losing are more or less irrelevant. The common enthusiast may not agree with this assessment, but winning a World Cup is all that matters. From every match, Team India will want to take positives or negatives.
India looking to test players
You need to realise your strengths and weaknesses. What stops you from becoming a better team in the coming months? The perfect team balance. The Indian team management has conveyed the same message. Questioned about Arshdeep Singh’s non-selection in the first couple of matches, India’s assistant coach Morne Morkel explained the management’s mindset.
“On this tour, it is also just to have a look at other combinations. There will always be disappointment in terms of selection, but that is something, at times, that, as a player, is uncontrollable. With a World Cup around the corner, you do not want to leave any stones unturned. You do not want to sit 2 years down the line and say, if only we tried that, or gave this combination a bit more time, it would have developed. So yes, I think it is about playing it smartly,” Morkel had said after the 4th T20I.
Shivam Dube & Washington Sundar to be rested?
That’s why India is expected to make a couple of changes for the India vs Australia 5th T20I. It seems like the Men in Blue have understood what their batting looks like. It’s the all-rounders and wicketkeepers they are speculating about. After giving Sanju Samson a try, Jitesh Sharma has been brought in, and he’ll likely continue.
Shivam Dube has done a splendid job in Hardik Pandya’s absence. Axar Patel might be one of the most valuable players at the moment. Washington Sundar hasn’t bowled much but has been exceptional with the bat. But two of these three might be rested.
Nitish Kumar Reddy and Rinku Singh are the only players who haven’t played a game in the T20I series. They’ll likely get a chance now. India can’t lose the series, ahead by 2-1, and therefore, it’s the perfect time to rest Dube and Sundar. You know what they offer, and now Nitish and Rinku should be tested to see what they’ll do in the same roles.
Bowling may not be changed. Like the top-order batters, the bowlers look set as well. Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Arshdeep Singh have formed a formidable trio and probably won’t be broken up.
Predicted India Playing XI for 5th Australia T20I
Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill (vc), Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh
Bench: Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson (wk), Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana
