India vs Australia 5th T20I: The stage is set for a thrilling finish as India take on Australia in the 5th T20I of the five-match series at The Gabba in Brisbane on Saturday. Holding a 2-1 lead, India needs just one more victory to clinch the series, a feat that would mark another historic milestone for the team on Australian soil.
The Gabba, often dubbed Fortress Brisbane, remains one of the toughest venues for touring sides. Australia has lost only once in eight T20Is here, and the pitch, known for its extra bounce and quick pace, promises another fiery contest under lights.
Indian bowlers key to unlock victory at Gabba
India’s bowling strategy has drawn attention throughout the series, with captain Suryakumar Yadav opting for a spin-heavy attack led by Jasprit Bumrah as the lone specialist pacer. Bumrah also stands on the verge of history — one wicket away from becoming the first Indian bowler to claim 100 T20I wickets. With this, Bumrah will also become the first indian to take 100 wickets in all formats of the game.
Australia, meanwhile, will be without key players such as Travis Head, Cameron Green, and Pat Cummins, giving younger names like Nathan Ellis and Xavier Bartlett the opportunity to impress.
A key contest to watch will be between Abhishek Sharma and Nathan Ellis, as India’s explosive left-hander faces Brisbane’s seaming bounce for the first time.
Rain likely to play spoilsport
Rain could play a role in the India vs Australia 5th T20I, with forecasts suggesting afternoon showers and humid conditions. A washout would automatically hand the series to India, but both sides are hoping for a full contest.
Seamers will benefit from the pitch early on, while batters will find it easier to score as the ball softens. Teams winning the toss may prefer to bat first and put scoreboard pressure on the opposition. For India, victory would underline its dominance in limited-overs cricket and reward the management’s faith in its younger players. For Australia, a win would help restore pride ahead of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup and reaffirm their depth despite the absence of several senior stars.
Predicted Playing XIs
India (probable): Shubman Gill (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Australia (probable): Mitchell Marsh (c), Matthew Short, Josh Inglis (wk), Tim David, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Xavier Bartlett, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa.
