India vs Australia 2023: India’s strongest predicted playing XI against Australia

India have taken a 2-0 lead over Australia in the five-match T20I series having beaten them in the second game by 44 runs at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side posted a mammoth score of 235/4 batting first riding on half-centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad. In reply, Australia fought hard but could only reach 191/9 in their allotted 20 overs.

The young brigade of the Men in Blue have been clinical with their performances in the first two matches and will be eager to continue their dominance in the third game to seal the series. In order to do that, they will once again have to field a strong playing XI in the third game on Tuesday, November 28 at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati.

Here's India's Predicted XI against Australia: 

Openers: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal 

After getting run out for a diamond duck in the first game, Gaikwad made full use of the opportunity in the second T20I as he scored a brilliant half-century (58 off 43). Gaikwad played the anchor role from one end as other batters took on Australian bowling from one end. He will look to continue his form in the third game as well and help his side win the series.

Also Read: India vs Australia: T20I Records and Stats at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati

Yashasvi Jaiswal has been enjoying a great run of form this year having scored centuries in both Tests and T20Is after a successful IPL season. The southpaw played a blistering knock of 53 off 25 balls in the second game and got his team off to an electrifying start. Jaiswal will look to once again get his team off to a brilliant start in the third fixture.

Middle Order: Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh

Ishan Kishan continued his brilliant form as he scored his second consecutive half-century of the series in the second game. The wicketkeeper batter scored 52 (32) smashing three fours and four sixes in his innings and took on the spinners in the middle overs. Having warmed the bench for most of the matches in the ODI World Cup 2023, Kishan is making string statements with his bat and will be eager to make another one in the third game.

After playing a match-winning innings of 80 (42) in the first game, captain Suryakumar Yadav got dismissed for just 19 (10) in the second game as the team needed quick runs in the death overs. SKY, as he’s lovingly called by his fans, will be eager to seal the series in the upcoming fixture.

Tilak Varma once again didn’t get much opportunity to bat in both matches. In the second T20I, he scored 7* (2) to help propel India’s total past 300. Having failed to leave his mark in the series so far, the 21-year-old will hope for more opportunities in the upcoming fixture and take his team to a series win with his magnificent knock.

Rinku Singh once again played a sensational cameo of 31* (9) to help India post a mammoth score of 235/4. The southpaw continues to play crucial cameos for his side every time he walks out to bat and will be eager to do so again if given an opportunity in the third game.

All-rounder: Axar Patel

The southpaw didn’t get an opportunity to bat in the second game but bowled brilliantly as he grabbed one wicket by giving away just 25 runs from four innings. Patel will be eager to put his all-round skills on display in the third T20I and make a strong case for his selection in the T20 World Cup 2024.

Also Read: IND vs AUS: Ruturaj Gaikwad takes Axar Patel's unique challenge to present match report in 60 seconds

Bowlers: Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Mukesh Kumar

Ravi Bishnoi was the pick of the bowlers in the second T20I as he picked 3/32 in four overs to break the back of Australian batting. He picked the big scalps of Josh Inglis, Matthew Short and Tim David to derail Australia’s chase. The wrist-spinner will look to continue his brilliant form with his eyes set on the T20I World Cup 2024 squad.

Arshdeep Singh was once again expensive as he leaked 46 runs in four overs and picked one wicket in the death overs. The left-arm seamer is one of the rising stars of the Indian team in T20Is and will look to make amends for his poor show in the upcoming fixture.

Prasidh Krishna also picked a three-wicket haul in the second game as he finished with figures of 3/41 in four overs. The right-arm seamer dismissed Steve Smith, Sean Abbott and Nathan Ellis to restrict the run flow with both the new ball and the death overs.

Mukesh Kumar was the most economical Indian bowler in the first game but couldn’t replicate his heroics in the second game as he leaked figures 43 runs from four overs and picked one wicket. The 30-year-old will look to improve his figures in the third game as India set their eyes on the series win.

India’s predicted XI against Australia in the third T20I:

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan (wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Mukesh Kumar