The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur is all set to host the 4th T20I between India vs. Australia. It will be yet another fascinating chapter in the rivalry between India and Australia, as the two cricketing titans will lock horns in the series' fourth T20I. With India leading the series 2-1, the stakes are high, and the suspense is tremendous.
Following their win in Guwahati, India sought to complete the series and continue their domination over their Australian opponents. Australia, on the other hand, was determined to win the series again.
The match promised to be a run-fest from the start, and it did not disappoint. India batted first and put on an excellent show of aggressive cricket, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad and Suryakumar Yadav. Gaikwad, in particular, was magnificent, smashing an eye-catching 71 off just 47 balls, while Yadav maintained his superb form, scoring 69 runs.
Glenn Maxwell’s special knock stopped India to clinch the series a couple of nights ago in Guwahati. India gave Australia a gigantic score of 222 to chase however, Maxwell proved it insufficient for the hosts. India will have another chance to win the series without having to play a final when they meet Australia at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur, which will be hosting its first T20I match.
Earlier this year, the Raipur venue hosted its maiden international match, an ODI between India and New Zealand. The BlackCaps were bowled out for 108 in the corresponding ODI, with Mohammed Shami and Hardik Pandya each taking 5 wickets. There was a hint of grass in that ODI, which won't be present when India and Australia face tonight.
India has been scoring over 200 runs consistently in all 3 matches of this series, and the trend of a high-scoring game is set to continue on Friday. On Thursday, India's batters were practicing range-hitting at the site, implying that the pitch in Raipur might be another belter.
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Shreyas Iyer returns to the T20I format for the first time since 2022, giving India a significant boost. The Kolkata Knight Riders captain, who scored over 500 runs in his inaugural World Cup, was rested for the first three matches and will return as vice-captain.
Shreyas Iyer took some time to get into a flow during the late evening nets practice in Raipur, but the star batter is expected to get going right away. Yes, he is back as vice-captain, but there will be competition for middle-order places. On Friday, Iyer may have to step in for the immensely skilled Tilak Varma.
Both teams would like to chase, as we have seen so far in the series, with the dew expected to play a role.
India may consider bringing back Deepak Chahar, who was added to the T20I squad ahead of the third T20I. Mukesh Kumar, who was gone for his wedding and missed the third T20I, was spotted practicing in Raipur and could return right away. Prasidh Krishna, who conceded 68 runs in his 4-over quota in the third T20I, could be dropped along with Arshdeep Singh.
Australia, on the other hand, would be without Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Josh Inglis after the third T20I, as the three followed Steve Smith and Adam Zampa home.
Maxwell's presence in the middle order will be missed, but Australia brought in enough reinforcements to give inexperienced players a chance in the high-pressure series. Ben Dwarshuis, Chris Green, Ben McDermott, and Josh Philippe, who were brought in, will be in the team, as Travis Head is their only World Cup champion. Green is likely to earn his first T20I cap as Australia battles to stay alive in the series.
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