India eye commanding finish in Brisbane to seal T20I series against Australia

With a chance to wrap up another overseas series triumph, India will aim to iron out their batting flaws and complete the Australia tour on a commanding note when the sides meet in the fifth and final T20I in Brisbane on Saturday.

Currently leading the series 2-1, India have already ensured that their 17-year unbeaten run in T20Is against Australia remains intact. Now, Suryakumar Yadav’s men will look to finish with a flourish.

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Much of the focus will be on Shubman Gill and Captain Suryakumar Yadav, while the hosts will be desperate to find answers to India’s spin threat in their final face-off before next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

India displayed sharper game awareness in the previous match at the Gold Coast, adapting well to the demanding Carrara surface. Gill’s assured knock helped India reach 121/2 in 14 overs, but a dramatic late collapse saw them lose four wickets for just 15 runs.

For Gill, it has now been seven innings without a fifty, though his 46 in the fourth T20I signalled a timely return to form. The opener looked settled before falling to a slower delivery and was eager to finish the tour on a high to silence concerns over his consistency.

Suryakumar, too, has promised much without converting starts. With the South Africa series approaching, he will be expected to bat with greater authority. Tilak Varma remains in search of fluency after scores of 0, 29, and 5, while wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma, preferred over Sanju Samson in the last two matches, is yet to make a meaningful contribution.

Abhishek Sharma, however, has justified his billing as the world’s top-ranked T20 batter, delivering a fluent half-century and providing energetic starts. India’s lower order has chipped in effectively as well, highlighted by Axar Patel’s quickfire 21 off 11 balls, adding valuable depth and balance with multiple all-rounders in the mix.

On the bowling front, Arshdeep Singh has once again impressed, picking up four wickets and forming a potent powerplay partnership with Jasprit Bumrah. The spin trio of Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar has been central to India’s dominance, even in the absence of Kuldeep Yadav.

Shivam Dube and Washington have contributed significantly with both bat and ball—Dube’s 23-ball 49 turned the third match around, while Washington’s stunning 3 for 3 sealed the fourth. Dube also added 18 off 22 and took two wickets in that game, underlining his growing all-round value.

On the other hand, with most of their seasoned stars focusing on preparations for the five-Test Ashes series beginning November 21 in Perth, Australia will rely on their relatively inexperienced players to salvage a draw.

The hosts were once again exposed by quality spin in the fourth T20I, with Varun, Axar, and Washington combining for six wickets within 10 overs. Their batting remains heavily dependent on Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, and Tim David. The absence of Travis Head proved costly as they faltered in pursuit of a modest 168.

Matthew Short, who has impressed as an opener in the past, was once again slotted lower down the order and failed to capitalise on the opportunity created by Head’s absence. He will be eager to make a stronger impact on Saturday.

Australia have also missed Josh Hazlewood’s experience, with their bowling attack lacking penetration. Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa have carried most of the load, while Ben Dwarshuis went wicketless in the previous game. The hosts may consider handing youngster Mahli Beardman his debut in the series finale.

Squads:

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 Phillippe (WK), Mitchell Owen, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Kuhnemann, Adam Zampa, Mahli Beardman, Ben Dwarshuis, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Marcus Stoinis.