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

Having made a strong comeback in the five-match series with a win in the third T20I, Australia will look to level the series in the upcoming fourth fixture on Friday, December 01 at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur. The Matthew Wade-led side chased down Australia’s second-highest total in their T20I history as they surpassed India’s massive total of 222/3 in their allotted 20 overs courtesy of Glenn Maxwell’s sensational 104* off 48 with the help of eight fours and as many sixes in his innings.

However, Australia will miss him big time in the fourth game as the all-rounder has flown back home after a long and arduous two months in India. Hence, Australia will have a herculean task of finding ideal replacements for some big names as they look to level the series in the fourth T20I.

Here's Australia's Predicted XI against India:

Openers: Travis Head, Josh Phillipe

Playing his first game after his incredible hundred in the World Cup 2023 final, Head once again took the attack on the Indian bowlers and played a quick-fire knock of 35 (18). The southpaw smacked eight boundaries in his innings and added 47 runs for the first wicket in 26 balls. Having missed out on a big knock in the last game, Head will be hungry for a big knock in the fourth fixture as he will have a lot more responsibility with the bat in an inexperienced lineup.

Josh Phillipe has scored 138 runs from ten innings at an average of 13.80 and a strike rate of 109.52. The 26-year-old has 17 half-centuries in his T20 career and will be eager to grab the opportunity with both hands in the fourth game.

Middle Order: Matthew Short, Aaron Hardie, Tim David, Matthew Wade

Matthew Short has scored one half-century in the five T20Is so far having 118 runs to his name. However, the 28-year-old is known for his explosive batting in domestic T20 leagues having a strike rate of over 140. Hence, in the absence of big names, he will be eager to leave his mark with the bat in the fourth game.

Aaron Hardie scored was looking in good touch in the last game. However, he got dismissed for just 16 (12). The 24-year-old has failed to leave a mark in the fourth T20Is so far having scored just 39 runs from two innings. With the T20 World Cup around the corner, he will be eager to leave his mark in the upcoming games and make a strong case for his selection in the mega event.

Tim David got out for a golden duck in the third T20I once again falling prey to Ravi Bishnoi. David played brief knocks cameos of 19* (13) and 37 (22) in the first two games but failed to get a big score. The 27-year-old is touted as one of the fiercest strikers of the cricket ball having a strike rate of 162.45 in his T20I career so far and will be eager to help Australia level the series in the fourth game.

Matthew Wade played an unbeaten knock of 28* (16) in the third T20I and got involved in an unbeaten match-winning partnership of 91* off 40 with Glenn Maxwell. He also scored an unbeaten 42* (23) in the third T20I. Wade boasts an experience of 78 matches where he’s scored 1088 runs with three fifties to his name. The Australian captain will look to carry the winning momentum ahead in the fourth game as well.

All Rounder: Marcus Stoinis

Marcus Stoinis was seen struggling in the third T20I as he scored just 17 (21) and also didn't bowl a single over during the game. Earlier, he was the top scorer for Australia in the second game with his innings of 45 (25) and will look to take more responsibility with the bat in the fourth game in the absence of Maxwell.

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Bowlers: Ben Dwarshius, Nathan Ellis, Tanveer Sangha, Jason Behrendorff

Ben Dwarshius has played just one T20I in his career where he failed to pick up a wicket. The left-arm seamer boasts of 132 wickets in his T20 career from 110 games at an average of 24.02 and will be eager to emulate his domestic performance at the international level.

Nathan Ellis once again leaked runs in the third game giving  36 runs from four overs. However, the right-arm seamer is the leading wicket-taker for Australia in the series with three wickets to his name. Ellis has magnificent numbers in his short career so far as he’s picked 21 wickets from 11 innings at an average of 16.14 and an economy of 8.07 and will be eager to continue his good work in the upcoming game as well.

Tanveer Sangha was once again expensive in the third game with figures of 0/42 in four overs. The wrist spinner hasn't had a memorable series so far with two wickets to his name from three games at an average of 61.50 and an economy of 10.25. The 22-year-old has picked seven wickets in his T20I career so far and will be eager to add more to his tally in the fourth fixture.

Jason Behrendorff was the pick of the bowlers from both teams in a high-scoring third T20I as he finished with figures of 1/12 in four overs. In the two matches played in the series so far, he's scalped two wickets at an average of 18.50 and an economy of 4.62. Behrendorff will be eager to bowl another economical spell in the fourth game to help his side level the series.

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

Travis Head, Josh Phillipe, Matthew Short, Aaron Hardie, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade (c & wk), Ben Dwarshius, Nathan Ellis, Tanveer Sangha, Jason Behrendorff