The five-match T20I series between Australia and India is locked at 1-1 after three games, and the caravan now moves to the Gold Coast for the fourth T20I. India bounced back in Hobart with a convincing five-wicket win after having been humbled in Melbourne. Whoever wins this fixture will have an unassailable lead in the series, so expect fireworks once again.
Team News
Australia
The Aussies have missed a few key players due to various reasons in the series and that should continue for the final two matches as well. Travis Head is the latest absentee after being released from the squad as Australia want their Ashes regulars to get their preparation started. Glenn Maxwell's availability is also a question mark due to his fitness concerns.
Adam Zampa and his wife are still expecting their second child, so the leg spinner may continue to sit out. Meanwhile, Matthew Short could slot into the top order following Head's exit and Josh Philippe is also likely to get more game time. Young bowling all-rounder Mahli Beardman might also get a game with the way things are going.
India
The visitors made plenty of changes for the third T20I and considering that it gave them the required result, the same XI is likely to play for this fixture as well. Washington Sundar was strangely not given the ball but he proved his worth by producing a clever innings of 49* to see India through. Kuldeep Yadav has been released from the squad to join the India A squad for the unofficial Test against South Africa A.
India are slated to play a two-match Test series at home against South Africa and Kuldeep will join some of the other Test regulars for that particular fixture. Jasprit Bumrah might only play one of the remaining games and it will be interesting to see which game he rests with the Test series looming.
Probable XI
Australia: Mitchell Marsh(c), Matthew Short, Josh Inglis(wk), Tim David, Josh Philippe, Mitchell Owen, Marcus Stoinis, Xavier Bartlett, Matthew Kuhnemann, Nathan Ellis, Ben Dwarshuis
ALSO READ
- Gautam Gambhir on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma: 'Their experience is really important in the dressing room'
- Australia vs England 2nd Test: Peak Ashes moment in Brisbane as Steve Smith smashes Jofra Archer's 150kph rocket for six amidst WWE-style banter
- Virat Kohli breaks another Sachin Tendulkar record in men's international cricket after series win against South Africa
India: Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Verma, Jitesh Sharma(wk), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah
Pitch report
This will be the first T20I at this venue, so there is no past history to look at. However, reports suggest that the surface should be a good one to bat on with some help early on for the bowlers.
Weather forecast
A hot and humid day is in the offing at the Gold Coast with no signs of rain.
Where to watch?
Australia-India T20Is are being telecast on the Star Sports Network and are being streamed on JioHotstar.