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After a disappointing World Cup 2023 final, India and Australia are set to renew their cricketing rivalry in the T20I format, kicking off the series in Vishakapatnam. India, reeling from their final loss in Ahmedabad, is looking to shift their focus towards the future, building momentum for the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA next June.
Both teams face the challenge of coping with the absence of key players due to the gruelling ODI World Cup schedule. In the absence of the injured Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav will lead the Indian side, with Shreyas Iyer assuming the vice-captaincy upon his arrival for the fourth T20I. Ruturaj Gaikwad will step in as the deputy captain until then. Australia, led by Matthew Wade, welcomes back Matthew Short and Tim David to strengthen their lineup.
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The predicted XI for the first T20I offers insights into potential strategies for both teams. For India, the spotlight is on Ishan Kishan, who displayed flexibility in the middle order during the Asia Cup despite his traditional top-order role. Suryakumar hinted at experimenting with Kishan's position, possibly placing the southpaw in the middle order.
The opening duo comprises Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal, with the promising Tilak Varma following. Suryakumar holds his favoured No.4 spot, potentially followed by Kishan. Rinku Singh is expected to play the finisher's role, and the pace trio of Mukesh Kumar, Prasidh Krishna, and Arshdeep Singh may feature, supported by spinner Ravi Bishnoi.
Australia, without World Cup hero Travis Head, may see Steve Smith opening alongside captain Wade. Maxwell and Stoinis add firepower, with Tim David as the designated finisher. Aaron Hardie could be a flexible option. The pace trio of Behrendorff, Abbott, and Richardson, along with spinner Tanveer Sangha, form the bowling arsenal, with Adam Zampa likely to rest.
India Predicted XI: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan (wk), Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Prasidh Krishna
Australia Predicted XI: Steve Smith, Matthew Wade (C&WK), Matthew Short, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Aaron Hardie, Tanveer Sangha, Jason Beherendoff, Sean Abbott, Kane Richardson.
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