Focus now becomes the shortest format Australia and India Wednesday, October 29 Get ready for the five-match T20 International (T20I) series starting in Canberra on Wednesday, October 29. After a tense Odi leg, both sides aim to improve their combinations ahead of next year’s global tournaments. Former Indian WicketKeeper-Corpse Parthiv Patel Picking a mix of young talent and seasoned campaigners, he shared his prediction for Xi’s playing XI for India’s opener.
Young keys to set the tone
Patel supported explosive pairings Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill open shots. The pair have been in exceptional touch in recent months, providing an aggressive start. Abhishek in particular has been a standout performer emerging as one of India’s most promising T20 players. It ended recently Asian Cup 2025He was put on 314 runs in 314 matches in seven matches, making it a strong case for consecutive qualifiers.
Known for his adaptability across formats, Gill offers stability alongside Abhishek’s flaw. His temperament and stroke selection make him a reliable anchor on the power play, something India will count for against a quality Australian attack.
An electrifying middle order
Patel posted Do not pray number three and Suryakumar YadavT20I Skipper, number four, a combination that promises both consistency and aggression. Tilak’s maturity and batting ability have already earned him a reputation as one of India’s most reliable middle-order batsmen in T20 Cricket. His 213 at an average of 71 in the Asia Cup showcased his chops to stitch innings under pressure.
Suryakumar, on the other hand, remains India’s greatest match-winner in this format. His wide strokes and ability to dominate any bowling attack make him a central part of India’s batting strategy.
Parthiv also chose Sanju Samson At WicketKeeper-Bity, as a number five batter, providing an explosive option in the middle overs. In domestic cricket and his adaptability in pressure situations and his consistency make him a solid inclusion.
Read: AUS VS Ind: 5 Indian players who can prove a threat for Australia in T20I series
All-round power and bowling firepower
Interestingly, he went with the patel Akhar Patel As a single spinner, prefer to leave the star wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav. AXAR’s all-round capabilities and control over his middle-order have made him a trusted name in white-ball cricket.
A former cricketer was selected for the PACE branch Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singhand Varun Chakravarthy as the main bowlers. Bumrah’s experience, ArshDeep’s left arm angle and Varun’s secret spry add great variety to the sprint.
Adding balance to the squad, Patel included an all-rounder with two pace bowlers – Shivam Dubey and Nitish kumar reddy. Both have impressed with their ability to hit big and settle, making them valuable assets in T20 cricket.
Start India Eye Strong in Canberra
As India prepare for the T20I challenge, they will aim to build on their momentum from their Asia Cup 2025 triumph. The last time the men in blue toured Australia for a T20I series was in 2020/21, winning by a scoreline of 2-1. With a mix of youth and experience, Patel’s predicted XI reflects the depth and flexibility of India’s current T20 set-up.
Parthiv Patel’s Predicted XI:
Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Axar Patel, Shivam Kumar Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh.
Read: AUS VS Ind: 5 Australian players who can prove a threat for India in T20I series
