Australia faces a setback in their T20I series against India as seasoned opener David Warner opts to return home, missing the five-game series. Warner played a crucial role in Australia’s recent triumph in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, contributing 535 runs with an impressive average of 48.63.
Despite initial expectations of Warner’s participation in the T20I series against India, selectors have decided on his return home, citing the toll of a successful yet demanding World Cup campaign. Aaron Hardie, an emerging all-rounder, will fill Warner’s spot in the squad, while Matthew Wade takes on the captaincy responsibilities in the absence of Cummins.
Seven members of Australia’s World Cup-winning squad, including Sean Abbott, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, and Adam Zampa, remain in India for the T20I series, accompanied by reserve spinner Tanveer Sangha.
The first T20I of the five-game series is set to commence in Vishakhapatnam on Thursday.
Australia’s T20 squad for the series includes 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, and Adam Zampa.
Series schedule:
– First T20I: November 23, Vishakhapatnam
– Second T20I: November 26, Thiruvananthapuram
– Third T20I: November 28, Guwahati
– Fourth T20I: December 1, Raipur
– Fifth T20I: December 3, Bengaluru
