Australia have made sweeping changes to their T20I squad, which will face Suryakumar Yadav-led India in a five-match series from 29 October to 8 November. All-rounder Glenn Maxwell will return to competitive action for the first time since September 2024, having fully recovered from a fractured wrist. The World Cup winner, who retired from one-day internationals earlier this year, is set to feature in the last three matches of the series.
Maxwell sustained the wrist fracture while bowling in the nets ahead of Australia’s three-match T20I series in New Zealand in September. His inclusion is a significant boost for the Australian team as they ramp up preparations for next year’s T20 World Cup, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka from February to March.
Fast bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott will not feature for the entire duration of the T20I series. Hazlewood is set to be released after two matches, while Abbott will exit the squad following three matches. Both pacers are expected to begin preparations for red-ball cricket ahead of the highly anticipated Ashes series against England, which starts on 21 November.
Australia have also added 20-year-old fast bowler Mahli Beardman for the last three matches. Beardman impressed in the U19 World Cup, taking 10 wickets in six matches with explosive spells. He is likely to make his debut during the T20I series, filling the void left by Hazlewood and Abbott.
In addition, wicketkeeper Josh Philippe has been added to the squad for all five matches, and fast bowler Ben Dwarshuis for the last three matches. Josh Inglis will take primary responsibility for wicketkeeping during the series, with Philippe acting as his back-up. The 28-year-old Philippe played the first ODI of the ongoing series against India, scoring a quickfire 37, but made way for Alex Carey in the second ODI, which was played in Adelaide on Thursday.
Australia currently lead the three-match ODI series 2-0, with the final game scheduled for Saturday in Sydney.
The upcoming T20I series is expected to be a thrilling contest, with both sides eager to assert dominance and gain momentum ahead of the World Cup.
AUSTRALIA SQUAD FOR T20I SERIES VS INDIA
Mitchell Marsh (captain), Glenn Maxwell (last three matches), Josh Hazlewood (first two matches), Sean Abbott (first three matches), Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman (last three matches), Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis (last two matches), Nathan Ellis, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe (wk), Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
