India vs Australia tip-off XI: Arshdeep back in the side, Gaikwad’s new role as vice-captain, and Australia’s potential X-factor Aaron Hardie | Cricket News

Less than a week after India’s heartbreaking loss to Australia in the World Cup finals the two countries will meet again as a five-match T20I series gets underway on Thursday in Vizag. Despite the wounds are still fresh for Indian players and fans after the heartbreaking loss in Ahmedabad the cricketing calendar is such that there is no time to take a break and reflect as the World Cups keep coming.With the next T20 World Cup scheduled in June 2024, team India will start preparing for the tournament from this bilateral series. The futures of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli , who have lifted the Indian batting responsibilities on their shoulders for the last decade, are still uncertain in this format. Hardik Pandya, who has been captaining in T20Is is also out injured. So this presents an opportunity for youngsters to show they are ready to take on the baton.
As for Australia, they have decided to go with the blend of youth and experience for the series. The squad does have seven players who have been part of the World Cup-winning squad. However, the goal for the visitors too would be to give youngsters as much time as possible in the middle of these foreign conditions against the quality Indian unit.
India will take on Australia in Visakhapatnam in first T20I
Arshdeep Singh is back in contention
The left-arm-seamer had a brilliant 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep became the leader of the bowling attack. The temperament and calmness to bowl under pressure gave glimpses that he could lead this attack at least in shorter versions of the game. Though there is no doubt about the youngster’s potential, with the way Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj have bowled in the recent World Cup, he might have to prove his mettle again starting from this series.
Ruturj Gaikwad’s opportunity
The Chennai Super Kings opener has been appointed as the vice-captain of the side. The management seems to have immense faith in his potential both as a batter and also someone who can be part of the leadership group in the coming days. He recently captained the side that won gold at the Asian Games in Hangzhou. With Shubman Gill already cementing one opening slot for years to come these five-match series might be an ideal opportunity to prove that Gaikwad is ready to take another one.
First look at Aaron Hardie
The Perth Scorchers young sensation is a brutal striker of the cricket ball who made his international debut earlier this year against South Africa in the T20I series. He also is someone who is tall and troubles the batters with the extra bounce he can prize out from placid pitches. He is similar to someone like Cameron Green who can bowl a heavy ball. Hardie is someone the Indians might want to watch out for both with bat and ball in the upcoming series.
India’s possible XI: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan (WK), Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Mukesh Kumar
India’s full squad: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Ruturaj Gaikwad (VC), Ishan Kishan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Shivam Dubey, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar
Note: Shreyas Iyer will join the squad as vice-captain for the last two T20Is in Raipur and Bengaluru.
Austrlia’s possible XI: Matthew Wade (c), Travis Head, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Kane Richardson, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa
Australia’s full squad: Matthew Wade (c), Aaron Hardie, Jason Behrendorff, Sean Abbott, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa