Match stopped because of lightning menace, Shubman-Abhishek off to quick begin

IND vs AUS LIVE, 5th T20: In the last T20I in Australia at the Gabba, Australia captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss and opted to bowl first. India brought back Rinku Singh, resting Tilak Varma. Australia went unchanged. This time, it is a battleground for a T20I that Australia would want to win to draw the series level. India are holding a 2-1 lead after a dominant 48-run victory in the fourth match. Suryakumar Yadav’s men will aim to seal their first T20I series win in Australia since 2018, extending their unbeaten streak in Down Under T20I series (excluding one-offs). Australia, missing key players ahead of the Ashes, seek a consolation win, but they will be the favourites. Australia haven’t lost a T20I at The Gabba since 2013.

India vs Australia 5th T20I LIVE

IND vs AUS 5th T20 preview

India head into the Gabba with momentum. They bounced back from a loss in the 2nd T20I with back-to-back wins in Hobart and Gold Coast. Indian spinners Varun Chakaravarthy, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar have been game-changers. They have dismantled Australia’s middle order with turn and control on slower surfaces. However, the top order, led by Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill, must fire against Australia’s pace attack. Gill’s strike rate has come into question, while captain Suryakumar Yadav’s form has also been topsy-turvy. Jasprit Bumrah, one wicket shy of 100 T20I scalps, could etch history on a bouncy track.

Australia are without Josh Hazlewood and Travis Head as they are focusing on the Ashes. With not many matches to go for the T20 World Cup, they will face the spin challenge. Nathan Ellis has been their standout, dismissing Abhishek thrice this series. But Mitchell Marsh (87 runs in four games) needs a big knock. The hosts’ all-out attack faltered in the fourth T20I, collapsing to 119 while chasing 168. At home, they boast a strong Gabba record (unbeaten since 2018), but India’s flawless T20I series record in Australia adds pressure.

Brisbane weather forecast

Weather forecasts predict a 51% chance of rain with thunderstorms. It could disrupt play. Expect a seamers’ paradise early, flattening later for high scores. BBL games here often exceed 180.

India vs Australia Head-to-Head in T20Is

India hold a strong edge in 36 T20I encounters, maintaining dominance in recent years. Key stats:

• In Australia: India 5 wins, Australia 3 wins (4 no results).
• Highest Team Total: India 208/5 (2023).
• Lowest Team Total: Australia 79 all out (2023).

The Gabba pitch report

The Gabba’s pitch is a fast bowlers’ delight, offering consistent bounce, pace, and early seam movement—ideal for express pacers like Bumrah and Ellis. Seamers have thrived here, with 10 T20Is seeing teams batting first win 7 times. However, it flattens under lights, favouring batsmen for high scores; BBL averages exceed 185 in the first innings. Average T20I first-innings score: 160. Chasing sides average 138. Spinners may struggle compared to slower Australian tracks, but dew could aid the second innings. Rain might shorten the game, making the toss crucial.

IND vs AUS Playing 11s

Squads

India Squad

Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma(w), Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Sanju Samson, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana

Australia Squad

Mitchell Marsh(c), Matthew Short, Josh Inglis(w), Tim David, Josh Philippe, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Mahli Beardman