India Set for Final T20 Clash Against Australia in Brisbane
The Indian cricket team enters the fifth and final T20 International against Australia with an unassailable 2-1 lead in the five-match series. The decisive match is scheduled for Saturday, November 7, 2025, at Brisbane's iconic cricket ground, where the visitors are expected to experiment with their lineup ahead of upcoming commitments.
Expected Changes in Indian Playing XI
Team management appears poised to make strategic alterations to the playing eleven, considering the series outcome is already decided and the South Africa tour looming next week. The most significant change anticipated is the return of wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson, who hasn't featured since the second match of the series.
Samson is likely to replace Jitesh Sharma, who managed scores of 22 and 3 in the third and fourth T20Is respectively. This move would provide Samson valuable match practice before the important South Africa series.
In another major development, pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah might be rested for the final encounter. With the team management keen to manage his workload, young speedster Harshit Rana could receive his opportunity to showcase his talents on Australian soil.
Opportunities for Bench Strength
The team think-tank is also considering giving chances to Nitish Reddy and Rinku Singh to help them maintain match fitness. This strategic move would likely mean Washington Sundar and Shivam Dube making way for the fresh faces.
The predicted Indian playing XI for the Brisbane encounter includes: Shubman Gill (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Sanju Samson, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Rinku Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Varun Chakravarthy.
Australia's Likely Strategy
Meanwhile, the Australian camp seems inclined to maintain consistency in their selection. Despite going wicketless in the previous match, Ben Dwarshuis is expected to retain his place, primarily because the Gabba pitch traditionally favors seamers over spinners.
Dynamic all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, who made his series return in the fourth T20I, is also likely to keep his spot in the playing eleven for the Brisbane finale.
The anticipated Australian lineup features: Mitchell Marsh (c), Matthew Short, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, Mitchell Owen, Marcus Stoinis, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, and Ben Dwarshuis.
Both squads have quality backups available, with Australia's reserves including Matthew Kuhnemann, Josh Philippe, Tanveer Sangha, and Mahli Beardman, while India's bench strength comprises Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, and Jitesh Sharma among others.
The match promises exciting cricket as India looks to consolidate their series victory while Australia aims to end the series on a positive note before home supporters.
