Australia Playing XI vs IND: Tim David GETS much-awaited DEBUT, Steve Smith to BAT at No. 3: Follow IND vs AUS 1st T20 LIVE

Australia Playing XI vs IND: IND vs AUS LIVE: Australia WINS Toss, India Batting 1st – The day has come when the prodigal son returns home. Tim David finally makes his debut for Australia after snapping ties with Singapore. Aaron Finch & Co who have not played much T20s since the T20 World Cup triumph last year have only 6 matches to prepare for the home world cup. But it’s Steve Smith at No 3 on whom the next focus will be as he hasn’t had a great T20 career. Follow India vs Australia 1st T20 LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.

Australia Playing XI vs IND: Tim David GETS much-awaited DEBUT, Steve Smith to BAT at No. 3: Follow IND vs AUS 1st T20 LIVE

Australia XI: Aaron Finch (c), Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis, Matthew Wade (wk), Tim David, Pat Cummins, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

In the recent past, Smith hasn’t exactly been in the best of form in the shortest format. The experienced batter averaged 23 and scored his runs at a strike rate of 97.18 in the T20 World Cup last year, and since then he has managed another 65 runs in five T20Is.

“Most likely he’ll (Smith) bat at three in this series with Mitch Marsh being out,” Finch noted in the presser.

Australia Playing XI vs IND: Tim David set for much-awaited DEBUT, Aaron Finch & Co to address Steve Smith puzzle, Follow India vs Australia 1st T20 LIVE Updates

IND vs AUS LIVE Score: India’s T20 Marathon begins with Australia challenge, Rohit Sharma seeks answers, Follow India vs Australia 1st T20 LIVE Updates

Australia Playing XI – Tim David to DEBUT? With Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis two regulars in Australia’s T20 Playing XI, the Kangaroos never needed to fast-track Tim David. But with his explosive batting all over the globe including IPL 2022, he has proven impossible to ignore. Thus, with both Marsh and Stoinis absent due to injuries, David will get the chance.

However, it’s Australia’s pace that needs addressing. Aaron Finch hasn’t been at his finest while Matthew Wade has also struggled in India besides Steve Smith, who doesn’t have a great T20 resume. Finch has scored at 121.67 while Wade scored 179 runs in IPL 2022 at just 113.77. Smith has scored at 120.37.

Australia Playing XI vs IND: Tim David set for DEBUT, Aaron Finch & Co to address Steve Smith puzzle, India vs Australia 1st T20 LIVE, IND vs AUS LIVE

Hence, the pressure comes on the middle-order, especially on players like Glenn Maxwell to score some quick runs to rescue the ship. But Indian conditions will not be so easy to deal with and especially Indian bowlers at their own backyard. The likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal and Harshal Patel will be at their best. But even then,

Finch backed Smith.“We know the quality that Steve’s got. He’s one of the best players that has ever played the game over all formats of the game. So we know the skill that he’s got and the game sense and the tactical nous that he’s got. So we’re really confident that regardless of what role he has to play within the structure of the squad that he can do that very, very well,” Aaron Finch said at the pre-match press conference.

Here are few more pictures from today’s practice session of @CricketAus @gulzarchahal @CricketAus @BCCI #1stT20I #pca #pcanews #punjabcricket #punjab #cricket #teamindia #indiancricketteam #punjabcricketnews #cricketnews #president #fans #cricketfans #timdavid pic.twitter.com/ocJ35Eoi0K

— Punjab Cricket Association (@pcacricket) September 19, 2022

On paper, Australia are one of the strongest T20 sides even though they hardly play the format. Since last year’s World Cup triumph, Australia have played only 9 matches, the least amongst all 16 teams taking part in T20 World Cup 2022. But with many players missing, it will be their chance.

Australia Playing XI vs IND: Tim David set for much-awaited DEBUT, Aaron Finch & Co to address Steve Smith puzzle, Follow India vs Australia 1st T20 LIVE Updates

Australia Playing XI vs IND 1st T20: What to expect from Australia?

In David Warner’s absence, Matthew Wade will open with Aaron Finch.
At No 3, Steve Smith will continue to retain his place. But he is under immense scrutiny and will have to do well.
In T20 World Cup, Glenn Maxwell could be one option for No 3 slot in place of Smith.
With Tim David set for Australia debut, if he succeeds, it will be difficult for Smith to find a place in the Playing XI.
But with Mitchell Starc out, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood will have their task cut out.
Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa will also have significant roles to play in Indian conditions.
Considering India’s weakness against left-arm spinners, Agar will play a crucial role, especially against the Top 4.

Australia Playing XI vs IND: Tim David set for much-awaited DEBUT, Aaron Finch & Co set to address Steve Smith puzzle, Follow India vs Australia 1st T20 LIVE Updates

Australia Squad: Aaron Finch (c), Matthew Wade (wk), Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, Cameron Green, Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Sean Abbott, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Daniel Sams, Kane Richardson, Josh Inglis, Nathan Ellis

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