India vs Australia 2023 T20 Series: Fresh Clash

As the cricketing world gears up for yet another electrifying series, India and Australia prepare to lock horns for the fourth time this year in India. This encounter comes on the heels of the recently concluded World Cup, adding another chapter to their storied rivalry. The series showcases not just the teams' resilience but also the relentless nature of the international cricket schedule, beginning a mere four days after the ODI World Cup final.

Schedule and Venue

The five-match T20I series are scheduled as follows:

• November 23: 1st T20I at Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
• November 26: 2nd T20I at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram
• November 28: 3rd T20I at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati
• December 1: 4th T20I at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur
• December 3: 5th T20I at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru​​.

A Glut of India-Australia Encounters

The crammed international cricket schedule is perfectly illustrated by the upcoming T20I series. Kicking off merely four days post the ODI World Cup final, this five-match series is a testament to the hectic cricket calendar, reminiscent of England's schedule post their T20 World Cup win last year. This year has been packed with India-Australia clashes, including a four-Test series, two three-match ODI series, and their face-off in the World Test Championship final. The frenetic scheduling also saw Australia engaged in the Ashes and India in the Asia Cup and Asia Games.

Despite the heavy schedule, the series is set to go ahead, with India resting most of their World Cup squad except Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, and Prasidh Krishna. Shreyas Iyer will join later, and VVS Laxman will be stepping in as coach for the rested Rahul Dravid.

Australia, on the other hand, retains a larger portion of their World Cup squad in India, with seven players staying on, including Matthew Wade, who takes over as captain. David Warner, originally slated to play, withdrew late, with Aaron Hardie stepping in. Spencer Johnson's injury replacement is Kane Richardson, and several key players have returned home.

Opportunities in the Run-Up to the T20 World Cup

While there are arguments against the series, it's worth noting that the next T20 World Cup is just six months away. These five matches offer a critical platform for players to solidify their roles ahead of the World Cup.

Last year's ODI series post the T20 World Cup, seemingly inconsequential, allowed Travis Head and Pat Cummins to establish themselves. This series presents similar opportunities for both Indian and Australian players.

Squads for the T20I Series

The squads for both teams are as follows: