India Predicted Playing 11 vs Australia for Match 51 of 2024 T20 World Cup
Team India will lock horns with Australia in their final game of the 2024 T20 World Cup Super 8 stage in St Lucia on Monday, June 24. The Men in Blue aren't at serious risk of being knocked out even if they lose, thanks to their hugely positive net run rate.
India have been one of the more convincing teams so far in the competition, but that doesn't mean they are without weaknesses. Rohit Sharma and Co. have seen key batters perform below expectations and arguably don't have enough pace options thanks to their insistence on batting depth.
However, despite a couple of contenders warming the bench, changes might not be forthcoming.
India's squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup: Rohit Sharma (captain), Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan.
On that note, here is India's predicted playing XI for Match 51 of the 2024 T20 World Cup against Australia.
Openers: Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli
Has Rohit Sharma done enough in the 2024 T20 World Cup? He played a match-winning knock against Ireland and essayed a bright cameo against Bangladesh, but there's been nothing to write home about otherwise. The Indian skipper will want to stamp his authority on the business end of the tournament.
Virat Kohli, meanwhile, has looked woefully out of rhythm. Without any notable knocks to his name, the opening batter will hope that the big stage elevates his performances.
Middle Order: Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel
India's middle order should be unchanged, with Sanju Samson seemingly not in the team management's plans.
In particular, Shivam Dube could struggle if he has to counter Australia's pacers, so using him at his ideal entry point will be crucial. Axar Patel might also be in line for a promotion ahead of Ravindra Jadeja, who has had a disappointing T20 World Cup so far.
Lower Order: Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh
India might struggle to shuffle their bowlers around in the powerplay since Australia have two left-handers at the top of the order, taking Axar out of the equation.
Could the Men in Blue bring in Mohammed Siraj for either Kuldeep Yadav or Jadeja? Even Arshdeep Singh might be a contender to be replaced, although he is the team's leading wicket-taker.
It might not be the worst idea to bring in Siraj for Jadeja, but India haven't gone down that route so far. They could thus be unchanged, with Jasprit Bumrah leading the way.