India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has looked back on their 2-1 series defeat against Australia in the three-match ODI series down under. The Blue Brigade faced defeats in the first couple of clashes at the Optus Stadium in Perth and the Adelaide Oval before the visitors made a strong comeback with a nine-wicket win at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

Gambhir reckoned that even though he was happy with the individual performance, the series defeat didn’t satisfy him and the whole group at all. In the third encounter, Rohit Sharma remained unbeaten on a fine century while Virat Kohli smashed an undefeated 75 to claim the victory.

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“I have always been a believer of it's not about the individual performances - yes, I can be happy with individual performances, but ultimately, we lost the ODI series - that is the bottom line, and I can never celebrate a series loss as a coach, as a player, I can appreciate individuals.” Gambhir expressed in a review video on the BCCI.

Gautam Gambhir reflects on India’s 2-1 series defeat against Australia

In the opening encounter, Australia completed the 131-run chase by seven wickets in just 21 overs, while in the second clash, the hosts chased down India’s 265 runs by two wickets with 20 balls to spare.

“But as a coach, I think it is my moral responsibility that we as a nation & we as individual should never celebrate a series loss - ultimately, we are representing the country, T20 series was different, we won the series, a lot of positives and we are still not where we want to be in three months down the line because the bigger picture is not the series, but the World Cup,” Gambhir added.

“So once the WC comes, we are in that space, we want to be before the World Cup. The Indian coach concluded as they earned the 2-1 series victory in the five-match T20I series against the same opponent. It was a massive confidence booster for the Suryakumar Yadav-led side ahead of the home T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.

It’s always baffling how the leading T20I wicket-taker of the Indian side, Arshdeep Singh, despite his incredible success, doesn’t end up being a regular member of the shortest format for the Blue Brigade. The left-arm pacer had a unique skill of picking up wickets with the new ball and creating pressure in the death overs. 

The left-arm pacer picked up three wickets in his four overs during India’s victory in the third T20I of the ongoing series against Australia at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart. He followed it up with another fine bowling of 1/22 in Gold Coast.

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“I am still a medium pacer. Since the first day, I have enjoyed medium pace fast bowling. I don’t do anything fancy to swing the ball in both ways. I hold it on the normal grip for the in-swinging deliveries, while for the out-swinging deliveries, I just tilt it a little towards the first slip fielder and try to flick it towards the first slip with my wrist.” Arshdeep Singh expressed during his interaction on Fox Cricket ahead of the Brisbane T20I.

Watch: Arshdeep Singh reveals his left-arm pace skill before AUS vs IND Brisbane T20I

Arshdeep has picked up 105 wickets in 67 T20I innings at an average of 18.59 and an economy rate of 8.36. In the IPL, he has bagged 97 wickets in 81 innings at an average of 26.49 and an economy rate of nine, thanks to two four-wicket and one five-wicket hauls.

"YOU BLEW A HOLE IN THEM!" 😂

150km/h rockets going into a vulnerable stump doesn't end well for the batters (or umpires)... just ask Arshdeep Singh!

📺 Watch #AUSvIND on ch. 501 or stream via Kayo Sports: https://t.co/sOOmnqoiEr
✍️BLOG https://t.co/P5kdnBuxXh pic.twitter.com/HZqcRhzA3o

— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) November 8, 2025

“And I also saw a video of Wasim Akram showing this flick. Since then, I have tried to go for the flick. I haven’t mastered it yet, but yeah, I am still trying. I would say the stumps’ material wasn’t that nice (on breaking the stumps in two parts during the IPL).” Arshdeep claimed.

“I was actually the slowest bowler in that game. Jhye Richardson and Riely Meredith were in that game. And they were clocking 150 quite easily. I guess because they were hitting the stumps again and again, there was a crack, which I later figured out, and I hit that crack for the stumps to be broken.” The left-arm pacer added.

Abhishek Sharma, the left-handed opening batter of the Indian cricket team, has been in tremendous form during the ongoing five-match T20I series against Australia down under. Heading into the fifth and final game of the series at the Gabba in Brisbane, the southpaw was on the verge of crossing a massive record in the shortest format. 

Abhishek came down the track to nail Ben Dwarshuis on the very first ball of the innings, but the ball seamed away to miss his outside edge. On the fourth ball of the over, he found the short length delivery slapped over the mid-off region for a fine boundary. Glenn Maxwell fumbled Sharma’s catch on the fifth ball as it went high in the air and had almost touched the moon.

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On the third ball of the fourth over, the Punjab batter got another life in the knock. He looked to whack the ball from Nathan Ellis, but didn’t get the full elevation off the blade. Dwarshuis ran up to the ball and got to it comfortably before the hard hands saw it coming out of his hands.

Abhishek Sharma becomes fastest to reach 1000 T20I runs in terms of balls

On the sixth ball of the fourth over, the Punjab-born picked the bones out of the slower ball. The ball sat up from the short of a length delivery as the batter waited on his back foot and smashed the pull shot over the mid-wicket region. Abhishek becomes the second fastest in 28 innings to cross the 1000 T20I runs for India, which is second to Virat Kohli, who celebrated the record in 27 innings.

India raced their way to 52/0 in 4.5 overs, as Abhishek smacked 23 runs in 13 balls with the help of one six and one boundary. The southpaw now has bagged 1012 runs in 28 innings at an average of 37.48 and a strike rate of 189.51 with two centuries and six fifties.

List of players to score fastest 1000 T20I runs in terms of deliveries

While Abhishek Sharma has brought the fire as usual, with two big lucks, his opening partner Shubman Gill has fired the Aussie pacers in the powerplay of the fifth and final T20I at Gabba in Brisbane on Saturday (November 8) night. 

India scored 52/0 before interruption

Australian captain Mitchell Marsh chose to field first at Brisbane, as there was a rain threat during the match, and it became true, as the game stopped due to lightning and then for rain before the completion of the fifth over.  

Indian openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill set a 52-run partnership for the unbroken first wicket before the game was stopped at 4.5 overs. Opener Abhishek has scored 23 not out off 13 balls with one four and one six, as he got two lucks, while Shubman has produced more threatening innings. At the interruption, the right-handed opening batter Shubman scored 29 not out off 16 balls with six fours. 

[WATCH] Abhishek Sharma smashes Nathan Ellis for massive 6 during AUS vs IND 5th T20I

AUS vs IND, 5th T20I: Shubman Gill hit four fours to Ben Dwarshuis in the third over

In the third over of the innings, Shubman slammed four fours to the Aussie pacer Ben Dwarshuis. On the first delivery of the over, Shubman played a brilliant cover drive to send the full-length ball to the boundary. While the next ball was a dot, the Indian opener hit three consecutive boundaries in the next three deliveries.

On the third ball of the over, Shubman danced down the pitch and sent the ball for a four over the wide mid-on. On the next ball, Shubman stepped out and curved the ball through the backward point for another four. The streak ended by nailing a pull shot to a short delivery, which ran through the square leg for another boundary. The opener defended the next ball as he scored 16 runs from that over.  

each and every boundary he slammed was a "fuck you" shot. that's it.#ShubmanGill pic.twitter.com/bvnOxJ8Uby

— ❤︎ (@sushipill77) November 8, 2025

Heading into the fifth and final T20I of the series between Australia and India, the visitors were 2-1 up at the Gabba in Brisbane. They just need to avoid a defeat against the Mitchell Marsh-led side for the clash after the latter won the toss and decided to bowl first, keeping the foul weather in mind, which could delay the proceedings.

But all eyes were on Abhishek Sharma, who smashed Ben Dwarshuis for a four on the fourth ball of the innings before getting a life after Glenn Maxwell dropped a simple catch. The ball nearly touched the moon before bursting through Maxwell’s fingers. Shubman Gill, from the other end, also started to crack the big shots.

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The Punjab-born smashed Dwarshuis for four boundaries in the third over as the Blue Brigade fired their way to 35 runs in three overs without any damage. On the third ball of the fourth ball, Abishek got his second life of the evening as Dwarshuis dropped a regulation catch to create more pressure on Australia, who looked a bit puzzled in the middle.

Watch: Abhishek Sharma smashes Nathan Ellis for 6 during AUS vs IND Brisbane T20I

On the last ball of the fourth over, Abhishek pulled the short of a length delivery from Nathan Ellis over the mid-wicket region for a six as he became the fastest to claim 1000 runs in T20I cricket in terms of balls among the full member sides. He achieved the feat in 528 runs, going past Suryakumar Yadav, who notched up the record in 573 balls.

Pace off from the bowler, POWER ON from #AbhishekSharma! 🧨🤩

Absolutely smashed over the ropes for a flat six! 💪#AUSvIND 👉 5th T20I | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/KVDenaqq4f pic.twitter.com/aGYxqj5hhP

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 8, 2025

But the umpires called the covers and took the players off the ground due to lightning. India reached 52/0 in 4.5 overs. Abhishek remained unbeaten on 23 runs in 13 balls with one four and one six, while Gill clubbed 29 runs in 16 balls at a strike rate of 181.3, thanks to six boundaries.

Australia remained unchanged for the clash, while the Blue Brigade decided to bring Rinku Singh into the playing eleven instead of Tilak Varma.

It is time for the fifth and final T20I of the series between Australia and India, which the Gabba is hosting in Brisbane for the night T20I fixture on Saturday (November 8). It is the must-win game for the hosts Australia to save the series by leveling it 2-2, while India will win the series by avoiding any defeat in the last fixture. The visitors have made a crucial change in the playing XI.

Rinku Singh gets game time

Once again, Australian captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss and chose to field first. The hosts have brought the unchanged squad for the series finale. Meanwhile, Rinku Singh has finally got a game time, as the Asia Cup 2025 Final hero Tilak Varma has been rested for this fixture. 

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AUS vs IND, 5th T20I: Playing XIs

AUS vs IND 5th T20I Match Preview:

The fifth and final match of the T20I series will be played at Gaba. India defeated Australia in the 4th T20I by a margin of 48 runs. Despite having a solid start, Australian middle-order batters fumbled, and Australia was bowled out for 119 runs. Mitchell Marsh and Nathan Ellis showed some resistance, but their efforts were not enough.

Washington Sundar once again delivered an excellent performance, taking 3 wickets for just 3 runs. In this fifth and final match, Australia will aim to level the series, while Team India aims to clinch the series. 

AUS vs IND 5th T20I Match Details:

AUS vs IND 5th T20I Pitch & Weather Report:

The weather report for the 5th T2OI is not ideal, as there is a possibility(55%) of rain during the game. The temperature can go up to 27.4 °C, with humidity around 55%.

The 5th T20I will be played at The Gabba, Brisbane, Australia. The pitch of this venue favours the batters; however, the surface tends to become sluggish in the second half. Therefore, winning the toss and opting to bat first would be a wise decision.

Let's have a look at The Gabba, Brisbane, Australia, stadium stats..

AUS vs IND Head-to-Head stats:

India is ahead in head-to-head stats in the T20 format. India won 8 out of the last 10 matches.

AUS vs IND 5th T20I Probable Playing 11

Australia: 1. Mitchell Marsh(C), 2. Matthew Short, 3. Josh Inglis(WK), 4. Tim David, 5. Josh Philippe(WK), 6. Marcus Stoinis, 7. Glenn Maxwell, 8. Xavier Bartlett, 9. Nathan Ellis, 10. Ben Dwarshuis, 11. Adam Zampa

India: 1. Abhishek Sharma, 2. Shubman Gill, 4. Suryakumar Yadav(C), 6. Jitesh Sharma(WK), 7. Washington Sundar, 8. Axar Patel, 9. Arshdeep Singh, 10. Varun Chakravarthy, 11. Jasprit Bumrah

Key Players to Watch

• Washington Sundar (IND) has been in red-hot form. So far, he has scored 61 runs and taken 3 wickets.

• Abhishek Sharma (IND) has been the leading run scorer in this series. The southpaw has scored 149 runs.

• Nathan Ellis (AUS) impressed with his bowling variations. So far, he has taken 9 wickets in the series.

• Mitchell Marsh (AUS) was the top run scorer in the last match. The Aussie skipper has scored 89 runs in 3 innings in this series so far. 

AUS vs IND 5th T20I MyMaster11 Team

Match Prediction: Who will win?

India is expected to win this match. The Indian spin trio proved to be a game-changer for the team. Australian batters failed to counter the Indian spinners. 

Description: This prediction is for knowledge and informational purposes only — we do not promote or support betting.

The former Indian opening batter, Kris Srikkanth, lauded the spinner of the Blue Brigade, Varun Chakravarthy, for another brilliant spell of bowling during the ongoing five-match T20I series against Australia down under. During the fourth fixture in Gold Coast, the mystery spinner finished with 1/26 in four overs with the massive wicket of Glenn Maxwell. 

Srikkanth specifically pointed out the struggling battle of Maxwell, who was shaking in his boots at the thought of facing the Tamil Nadu spinner. The latter dismissed the Australia all-rounder for a record fifth time in T20s in just 33 deliveries as the right-handed batter gave himself room but couldn’t get it on the blade.

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“Glenn Maxwell shakes in his boots whenever Varun Chakaravarthy comes on to bowl. Varun picks up certain batters like a rabbit. Especially when he sees Maxwell, he gobbles him up like a piece of cake. The T20 World Cup is around the corner. So he doesn't have much time. He has to regain his form and get used to the No. 3 position.” Srikkanth expressed during a video on his YouTube channel.

Kris Srikkanth roasts Glenn Maxwell’s battle against Varun Chakravarthy during AUS vs IND 4th T20I  

India posted 167/8 in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to small contributions from several batters in the line-up. In reply, the hosts were bundled out for just 119 runs as the three spinners- Varun, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar shared a combined figures of 6/42 in 9.2 overs.

“You cannot keep on shifting and rotating the order. There has to be a set order with the limited time before the World Cup. They escaped today, and the trial-and-error philosophy is fine for now. But at some point, there has to be a conclusion. Maybe from the South Africa series, as it's in India.” The former Indian opener reckoned.

“What I don't understand is that he is playing as a spin-bowling all-rounder. He is a spinner who can bat and not a batter who bowls spin. He first came into the Indian side for his spin-bowling, but only with his opening spells for Pune in the IPL. That's how Washington Sundar came into prominence.” Srikkanth reflected after the fourth T20I.

India’s premier all-rounder, Axar Patel, has revealed that the dressing room’s message was to take the game deep during the fourth T20I of the five-match series against Australia at the Carra Oval in Gold Coast. The left-handed batter has smashed 21 unbeaten runs in 11 balls with the help of one boundary and one six in the last over to breach the 160-run mark for the Blue Brigade.

With the ball, the left-arm spinner picked up two wickets for 20 runs in four overs at an economy rate of five. During the post-match interview with BCCI TV, Axar revealed how he used the angle with the bat to create pressure on the home batters in the interaction with Shivam Dube. 

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“Obviously I knew it was tough because wickets were falling back to back. The message that I got from the dressing room was to take it to the last over because there weren't any batsmen after me. So I thought I would take a chance in the last over. The side boundaries were big but I thought if I could hold my shape and watch the ball, I could clear them.” Axar expressed in a video with all-rounder Dube as the BCCI posted on social media.

Watch: Axar Patel shares dressing room of India post 4th T20I victory vs Australia

In the chase, Australia were bundled out for just 119 runs. Axar, Washington Sundar, and Varun Chakravarthy shared combined figures of 6/49 in 9.2 overs.

 

 

 

 

 

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“I have felt in the past that if I think about the size of the boundary and don't hit towards those sides, they become predetermined shots and because of that we make mistakes. I learnt from past mistakes and played my shots here.” Axar shed light.

“I'm never ready to take a review. But when the ball hit (his pads) this time, I think it stayed low. And the kind of action that I have, I bowl a little wide off the crease. So I always feel that the ball will hit outside the wicket or go from an angle. But in this I knew that the ball was hitting and (although) it could have been a little outside the off stump, we could take a chance on umpire's call.” The left-arm spinner addressed.

While the Indian spinners dominated in the Carrara T20I against the hosts Australia, the off-spinner Washington Sundar ended Australia's final hope in the match, as the visitors comfortably pocketed the game to take the series in an unbeatable position. 

After Australia sent the visitors to bat first in the fourth T20I of the five-match series, where the series was at 1-1 level, India scored 167/8 in 20 overs. While the Aussies were battling at 91/3, they faced a massive batting collapse, as there was no strong answer from the hosts in the late innings.

Washington Sundar was introduced with the ball for the first time in the series during the 17th over of the innings, when Australia were struggling at 114/6, as struggling Marcus Stoinis was the major final hope for the hosts.

[WATCH] Shivam Dube picks up massive wicket of Tim David during AUS vs IND 4th T20I

Washington Sundar took two wickets in two balls in his first over of this T20I series

In his first over of the series, Sundar took two wickets in two successive deliveries, as he dismissed Stoinis (17) through an lbw and then caught & bowled Xavier Bartlett (0) on the very next ball. With those two wickets, Sundar completed his 50 T20I wickets in 53 innings. It was enough to end the final hope for Australia, who were ultimately bundled out for 119 runs in 18.2 overs, as Sundar took another wicket to end the game. 

#WashingtonSundar's quickfire spell earns him three crucial wickets as #TeamIndia bag a 2-1 lead in the #AUSvIND series. 💪#AUSvIND 👉 5th T20I | SAT, 8 NOV LIVE on Star Sports Network & JioHotstar pic.twitter.com/NuXMUtgDbf

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 6, 2025

Washington Sundar's 3/3 entered record book

At the end of the match, Sundar had the incredible bowling figures of 1.2-0-3-3. It was the second-best T20I bowling figures by any spinner in Australia. The left-arm spinner Krunal Pandya holds the record for the best T20I bowling figures by a spinner in Australia with 4-0-36-4 against the hosts during the 2018 Sydney T20I. Sundar also recorded the second-best T20I bowling figures by an Indian in Australia, as Krunal Pandya holds this record.