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

After their heartbreaking loss in the final of the recently concluded ODI World Cup 2023, team India will be shifting its focus onto their upcoming five-game T20I series against Australia. Both sides face off in the first T20I on November 23. 

Star batter Suryakumar Yadav was announced as the captain of the side for the T20I series, and it could be interesting to see how the Men in Blue fare against the Australian side and what lineup they field.

Here's India's Predicted XI against Australia: 

Openers: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan (wk)

Team India will look to open with star batter Ruturaj Gaikwad and wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan. Both batters will be keen on giving their best in the shortest format, and it could be interesting to see how they fare against the Aussies. The 26-year-old has played 14 T20Is for team India, where he has scored 277 runs and scored two half centuries. The opener will be keen on putting in a good performance and getting off to a good start.

Getting to compete in the ODI World Cup could be quite the challenge for Kishan to shift his focus to the shortest format. However, with 686 runs in 29 T20Is, Kishan’s knock could prove to be crucial for the Men in Blue.

Middle Order: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh

The middle order is where India will look to shine. Youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal could get a go in the squad after a sensational campaign in the 16th edition of the IPL. Jaiswal could prove to be one of the best players for India against the Aussies in the T20I series.

Skipper Suryakumar Yadav will look to lead from the front as well. The ace batter needs no introduction in the shortest format. Being one of the best hitters in world cricket, if Suryakumar is able to find his form, it could spell trouble for the Men in Yellow.

Tilak Varma could be another youngster who could be included in the lineup for the first T20I against Australia. Having played 10 games for India, the 21-year-old is starting to gain some much-needed international experience. Scoring 231 runs in 10 T20Is, Varma will have many eyes set upon him.

The standout star in the Indian Premier League, Rinku Singh, has been given the chance against Australia, and the batter could very well feature in the first T20I. Having played five T20Is for India so far, Rinku has amassed just 75 runs to his name. However, he will hope that his luck turns around against the Aussies.

All-rounder: Axar Patel

Ace all-rounder Axar Patel could be one of the best performers for the side in the five-match series against Australia. Efficient with both the bat and the ball, Axar could pose serious problems for Australia, and with 39 wickets and 328 runs in 45 T20Is, Axar’s performance could be key for India.

Bowlers: Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, and Avesh Khan

The Indian bowling attack could boast the likes of Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Prasidh Krishna, and Avesh Khan. With 16 T20Is under his belt, Ravi Bishnoi will hope that he gets the nod for the first T20I against Australia. Having taken 25 wickets in the 16 T20Is, Bishnoi could make a big impact.

Arshdeep Singh will surely add some much-needed pace power to the Indian bowling attack. With 54 wickets in 36 T20Is, Arshdeep can quite possibly be one of the best bowlers for India throughout the series, and if he is able to find his form, Australia could find themselves in deep trouble.

Having travelled with the team in the ODI World Cup 2023, Prasidh Krishna did not get the chance to take the field. However, he will be hoping that it changes in the T20I series against Australia. Possessing some serious power with the pace, Krishna has only represented India in two T20Is, where he has taken four wickets.

Avesh Khan will complete India’s lineup, with 16 wickets in 16 T20Is. Avesh will be keen on improving his form and becoming a standout performer for the side in the first T20I against the Aussies.

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

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