Host Australia hope to counter India’s spin threat in final T20I

Brisbane: On the cusp of another overseas series win, India will look to overcome batting inconsistencies and finish the tour of Australia with authority when the two sides clash in the fifth and final T20 International here on Saturday.

With an unassailable 2-1 lead in the five-match series, India have extended their 17-year streak of not losing a T20I series against Australia and Suryakumar Yadav and Co. will look to finish strongly in this one too.

The focus will be on Shubman Gill and skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s batting, while Australia will look to counter India’s spin challenge when the two sides clash for the last time ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

India showed better tactical awareness in the previous match, adjusting on a tricky Carrara pitch. Gill led the way in a promising start of 121 for 2 in 14 overs before a late collapse saw them lose four wickets for 15 runs.

For vice-captain Gill, it has been seven innings without a fifty, though his 46 in the fourth T20 was a sign of his returning form.

Gill has not quite displayed the fluent touch that has defined his batting in recent years. He looked composed in the last match before being undone by a slower ball. The opener will be eager to sign off on a high and ease concerns within the team management.

Suryakumar has also shown flashes of brilliance across the series but has struggled to convert his starts. The captain would be expected to bat with more freedom and lead by example ahead of next month’s South Africa.

Tilak Varma is another batter who is yet to find his rhythm, managing scores of 0, 29, and 5 in his last three outings.