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. 

See Also: ICC confirms expansion of Women’s ODI World Cup 2029 to 10 teams

AUS vs IND, 5th T20I: Playing XIs

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.  

Chasing down the 168-run target in the fourth T20I of the five-match series at Carrara Oval on Thursday (November 6), Australia faced a massive batting collapse, as they had an unwanted record in the game.

After the Aussie skipper Mitchell Marsh chose to field first, India scored 167/8 in 20 overs. In reply, Australia were bundled out for only 119 runs, as India won by 48 runs to take a 2-1 lead in the away series with one match to go. While the hosts were once fighting at 91/3, they lost their last seven wickets for only 28 runs. It was Australia's record for the fewest runs added for the last six wickets in a home T20I, while their previous record was 50 runs against Pakistan during the 2010 Melbourne T20I. 

WATCH: Varun Chakravarthy clean bowled Glenn Maxwell during AUS vs IND 4th T20I

Least runs added for last six wickets by Australia in a T20I innings

• 14 runs vs Bangladesh (Mirpur, 2021)
• 27 runs vs Pakistan (Gros Islet, 2010)
• 28 runs vs India (Carrara, 2025)
• 29 runs vs Pakistan (Mirpur, 2014)
• 38 runs vs Pakistan (Dubai, DICS, 2012)
• 38 runs vs West Indies (Gros Islet, 2021)

Australia's 119 all out became their second-lowest home T20I totals. Their lowest home T20I total record is 111 all out against New Zealand during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022. 

Lowest home T20I totals for Australia (only completed innings)

• 111 all out vs New Zealand (Sydney, 2022)
• 119 all out vs India (Carrara, 2025)
• 127 all out vs Pakistan (Melbourne, 2010)
• 131 all out vs India (Melbourne, 2012)
• 133/8 vs Sri Lanka (W.A.C.A, 2010)

Meanwhile, India recorded their biggest T20I victory (by runs) against Australia in Australia, as they won the Carrara T20I by 48 runs. It is their second-largest T20I winning margin against Australia, after their 73-run victory during the ICC World T20 2014. 

Largest T20I winning margin for India against Australia (by runs)

• 73 runs at Mirpur in 2014
• 48 runs at Carrara in 2025
• 44 runs at Thiruvananthapuram in 2023
• 37 runs at Adelaide in 2016
• 27 runs at Melbourne in 2016   

In the crucial third T20I of the five-match series in the Australia tour, India have made three crucial changes, as Sanju Samson and Kuldeep Yadav have been benched along with Harshit Rana. 

Bellerive Oval in Hobart is hosting the third game of the series, while hosts Australia lead 1-0 after winning the second T20I by four wickets following the no result in the series opener. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss in the Hobart T20I, as the crowd roared for that achievement, while the Indian skipper chose to bowl first. At the toss, he confirmed three changes, as the wicketkeeper Sanju Samson and left-arm chinaman Kuldeep Yadav have been benched, along with the right-arm fast bowler Harshit Rana.  

See Also: Riyan Parag set to lead Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026, replacing Sanju Samson — Report

AUS vs IND, 3rd T20I: Why Kuldeep Yadav and Sanju Samson are not playing

Sanju Samson scored only two runs in the previous T20I at MCG, and Jitesh Sharma has replaced him for the Hobart T20I. Although Sanju has been criticised for his inconsistent performances despite getting many opportunities in T20Is, he played some crucial roles in the Asia Cup T20I 2025 success, including scoring a valuable 24 runs in the Final against Pakistan, where he set a stable 57-run partnership for the fourth wicket with the hero Tilak Varma. Sanju was the third leading run-scorer for India in that tournament with 132 runs in four innings with an average of 33.00 and a strike rate of 124.52. If Sanju isn't injured, the latest drop may be harsh treatment for him.  

Meanwhile, Washington Sundar replaced Kuldeep Yadav for the Hobart T20I. This alteration may be to extend the batting line-up for the game, while the in-form Kuldeep will surely get more chances later. 

Also, India's leading T20I wicket-taker, the left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, has joined the playing XI as a replacement for the right-arm fast bowler Harshit Rana. 

Australia vs India: Hobart T20I Playing XIs

Australia Playing XI: Mitchell Marsh (Captain), Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Tim David, Mitchell Owen, Marcus Stoinis, Matt Short, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Sean Abbott, Matt Kuhnemann

India Playing XI: Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah

While the Indian batters were struggling at MCG, opener Abhishek Sharma maintained his furious batting as the visitors India's innings hung on in the second game of the five-match T20I series. 

Australian captain Mitchell Marsh sent the visitors to bat first, but most of the Indian batters completely struggled against the Aussie pacers. Josh Hazlewood provided a strong start as he took three wickets of the first four Indian wickets, as India scored 40/4 at the end of the powerplay.

[WATCH] Harshit Rana smashes splendid 6 during AUS vs IND 2nd T20I at MCG

Abhishek Sharma recorded a 23-ball 50, stretched to 68 off 37 balls

India lost their fifth wicket in the eighth over as Axar Patel was run out. While Harshit Rana was promoted in the batting order, Abhishek Sharma got some useful help from him. Despite the falling regular wickets from the other end, it couldn't disrupt Abhishek's familiar strong aggressive batting performance. 

Opener Abhishek recorded his sixth T20I half-century as he completed it in just 23 balls, which was incredible, while the other Indian batters completely failed on the MCG pitch. It was Abhishek's first T20I fifty against Australia. 

Abhishek and Harshit Rana had a 56-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Rana scored 35 off 33 balls with three fours and one six, but after his dismissal, Abhishek didn't get any support from the other end. Despite massive pressure, Abhishek scored 68 off 37 balls with eight fours and two sixes, as he was ultimately dismissed by Nathan Ellis in the 19th over. Only Abhishek and Rana managed to reach double-digit scores in the innings, as India were bowled out for only 125 runs in 18.4 overs. 

Josh Hazlewood set the tone

Among the Australian bowlers, Josh Hazlewood was the best with the bowling figures of 4-0-13-3. Also, Xavier Bartlett (2/39) and Nathan Ellis (2/21) got two wickets each, while Marcus Stoinis had one wicket (1/24).

Indian ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer recently got an injury during the last ODI of the three-match ODI series against the hosts Australia at Sydney last Saturday (October 25). Before the beginning of the five-match T20I series in the Australia tour, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) provided an update on Shreyas Iyer's injury. 

Shreyas Iyer injured during a stunning catch

During the first innings of the match, Shreyas Iyer grabbed a stunning catch running back from backward point to dismiss Alex Carey (24), but it was also the reason for his injury. Iyer landed heavily on his left side, which injured his left rib cage. While he was feeling uncomfortable, he was taken to the hospital. In the remaining period of that match, Iyer wasn't seen on the ground.

See Also: BCCI updated Pratika Rawal's injury during IND-W vs BAN-W in Women's Cricket World Cup 2025

An impact injury to Shreyas Iyer's left lower rib cage region

On Monday, the BCCI confirmed that Iyer sustained "an impact injury to his left lower rib cage region." The scans revealed that there was a laceration injury to the spleen. The board also clarified that the Indian ODI vice-captain is currently under treatment, medically stable, and recovering well. The Indian national cricket team doctor is also in Sydney to regularly evaluate Iyer's injury. 

BCCI officially stated, "Scans have revealed a laceration injury to the spleen. He is under treatment, medically stable, and recovering well. The BCCI Medical Team, in consultation with specialists in Sydney and India, is closely monitoring his injury status. The Indian Team Doctor will remain in Sydney with Shreyas to evaluate his day-to-day progress." 

Shreyas Iyer scored 11 and 61 runs in the first two ODIs of the series. He is not in the T20I squad for this tour. India will play their next ODI on November 30, when the Men in Blues will host South Africa for the three-match ODI series. Understanding the seriousness of the injury, Iyer is likely to miss the home ODI series, as his complete recovery is the top priority at the moment.

In the dead rubber game of the three-match ODI series against the hosts Australia at Sydney on Saturday (October 25), India claimed a dominant win, as they beat the hosts by nine wickets with 69 balls remaining after successfully chasing the 237-run target in below 40 overs. 

Already securing the series by 2-0, Australian captain Mitchell Marsh chose to bat first at Sydney Cricket Ground. Australia were bowled out for 236 runs in 46.4 overs, while India chased down the target in 38.3 overs after losing only one wicket. 

[WATCH] Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli reflect on their playing career in Australia after AUS vs IND 2025 series

India recorded largest ODI win against the hosts Australia 

While India won by nine wickets, it was their largest ODI win (by wickets) against Australia in Australia. India's previous record was winning by eight wickets, which happened twice in 1985 and 1986. Meanwhile, it was also India's joint-largest ODI win in Australia, while they previously beat the UAE by nine wickets during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. 

India recorded fastest 220+ ODI chase vs Australia

While India chased the target in 38.3 overs, it was India's fastest 220-run chase in the ODI against Australia, as India won the match by 69 balls remaining at the end of the match. Their previous fastest record was successfully chasing the 251-run target in 41 overs during the 1986 Jaipur ODI. Meanwhile, their previous record of most balls remaining at the end of the match was 43 balls remaining when India successfully chased the 243-run target in 42.5 overs during the 2017 Nagpur ODI. 

AUS vs IND, 3rd ODI: Harshit Rana dominated with ball

The top six Aussie batters got starts, but most of them failed to capitalise on their starts. While Matt Renshaw scored 56 runs off 58 balls, opener and captain Mitchell Marsh scored 41 off 50 balls. Matthew Short was the only other batter in that innings to reach the 30-run mark by scoring 30 runs. 

All six Indian bowlers managed to pick up wickets, while Harshit Rana enjoyed the best bowling figures in his ODI career by recording 8.4-0-39-4. 

AUS vs IND, 3rd ODI: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli brought big relief with big knocks

In reply, Indian openers Rohit Sharma and the skipper Shubman Gill set a 69-run partnership for the first wicket. After Gill was dismissed for 24 runs, Rohit and Virat Kohli set up a giant partnership of 168 runs for the unbroken second wicket, as the visitors claimed a comfortable win to avoid the series whitewash. Rohit scored his 33rd ODI century and 50th international hundred by reaching the three-figure mark in 105 balls. Rohit scored 121 off 125 balls with 13 fours and three sixes, while Kohli finally opened his account in the series and scored 74 not out off 81 balls with seven fours.

Former Indian captain Virat Kohli's international comeback had a rough start with his rarest back-to-back ducks in the ongoing Australia tour. In the third and final ODI of the series at Sydney, Kohli finally opened his account in the tour, as the crowd celebrated his first single in the series. 

Virat Kohli scored ducks in Perth and Adelaide ODIs

India have already lost the three-match away ODI series against Australia by losing the first two matches at Perth and Adelaide. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma made their international cricket comeback on this tour, their last international match having been in the Final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 last March.

In both the first two games of the series, Kohli was dismissed for ducks. He scored an eight-ball duck in the series opener at Perth, as Mitchell Starc dismissed him. In their next game at Adelaide, Xavier Bartlett trapped him for an lbw on a four-ball duck.

Chasing down the 237-run target, Indian openers Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma provided a strong start with a 69-run partnership for the first wicket. After the new ODI skipper Gill was dismissed for 24 runs, Kohli got a great welcome from the crowd, as the former Indian captain joined another former Indian skipper.  

Twitter Reactions: Rohit Sharma celebrates successive fifty in AUS vs IND 3rd ODI

Watch: Virat Kohli and crowd celebrations after his first run in Sydney ODI

On the first delivery in the Sydney ODI, Kohli took a single to open his account for the first time in this tour. It was a great celebration from the crowd, while Kohli also celebrated with his smile and fist. We got a similar vibe to what the former Indian cricketers Rahul Dravid and Ajit Agarkar previously experienced in the Australia tour. 

So many emotions! ☺️🥹❤️

He’s off the mark & the crowd has made its happiness loud and clear! 🙌

Will we witness a Chase Master special from #ViratKohli tonight? 🔥#AUSvIND 👉 3rd ODI | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/0evPIuANAu pic.twitter.com/SZiBRnnvUY

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) October 25, 2025

India are ready to take on their strong cricketing rival Australia in Australia in the white-ball series, where the Indian team is set to start the campaign with the new team sponsor. As the Indian team's new ODI kits have been revealed with the new sponsor, some fans have reacted to them. 

Team India has new sponsor

India are touring Australia for a three-match ODI series, starting on October 19, and a five-match T20I series, starting on October 29. The Indian national cricket team has a new sponsorship after the government passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 last August, which forced Dream11 to withdraw from its running contract with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Apollo Tyres recently joined as the lead sponsor of the team, and the Australia tour is the first assignment for the men's team. 

The pre-series photoshoot was scheduled on Friday (October 17) at Perth Stadium, where the left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc and stylish batter Travis Head attended for Australia, and the all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy and wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel attended for India. 

See Also: Ajit Agarkar Breaks Silence on Mohammed Shami's ODI Squad Exclusion

Mixed reactions from Indian cricket fans

There are mixed reactions from Indian cricket fans to the new Indian ODI kits with the new sponsorship. While some have criticised the sponsorship position and size, some are happy with the new sponsor. Some fans were even searching for former Indian captains Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the photo shoot. 

Looks like Team Apollo tyres have a new sponsor.

Why does it have to be right there in the middle.

— Sufi (@Sooofmiester) October 17, 2025

Where is Virat Kohli and rohit sharma?

— Cricket addict (@Cricketadd75277)October 17, 2025

“The new jersey looks absolutely fantastic! Love the design and the tribute to India’s glorious World Cup wins. Wishing Team India all the best for the ODI series!”

♥️💙🥹

— Sanjeev Kumar Pandey🇮🇳 (@pandeyjisanjeev) October 17, 2025

Former Indian captain Rohit Sharma recently spoke about how desperate the Indian team was to win the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the USA after very close unfortunates in lengthy previous tournaments. 

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 title was India's first ICC trophy success in 11 years, as their previous ICC title success was winning the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 under the leadership of MS Dhoni, who previously won the inaugural ICC World T20 (2007) and the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. Rohit Sharma-led India finally achieved ICC trophy success in June 2024 after winning the T20 World Cup. But before that title, India closely missed many titles, like losing the ICC World T20 2014 Final, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Semi-Final, ICC World T20 2016 Semi-Final, ICC Champions Trophy 2017 Final, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Semi-Final, ICC World Test Championship 2021 Final, ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 Semi-Final, ICC World Test Championship 2023 Final and ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 Final.  

WATCH: Prithvi Shaw fight with Sarfaraz Khan’s brother and Mumbai players in Ranji Trophy warm-up match

Desperation from everyone: Rohit Sharma

Captain Rohit Sharma experienced disappointment in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022, ICC World Test Championship 2023 Final, and ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023. Then the dream finally came true in the T20 World Cup 2024 when they beat South Africa in the Final by seven runs to end their frustrating 11-year drought of winning the ICC trophy. Rohit Sharma, who is now active in the ODI format, credited the entire team for achieving the success.  

In the CEAT Tyres Award 2025, Rohit Sharma said, "Desperation from everyone. Like I said just now, we came so close on winning the finals and the semifinals of 2015 World Cup, 2019 World Cup, the World Test Championship final in 2021, and then the '22 World Cup, T20 World Cup, we lost the semifinals again, '23 World Cup, we lost the finals. So we came pretty close. It was just about crossing that line, and it all started with people getting hungrier than what it was. Again, like I said, all of us just came together and started doing things slightly differently. That was good to see from everyone. Then, when you see the results where there is a bit of change in the mindset, you feel good about yourself, and that is what the team felt. We started feeling good about ourselves. A lot of the players changed their game a little bit, did slightly uncomfortable things to make sure that the team looks good. Those are the things which was needed for this team moving forward. It was good to see that from everyone. We got lucky as well, looking at that final in Barbados, where we won that final from an unbelievable situation, was truly a great effort from all 11 of us."

Managing an Indian team is never easy: Rohit Sharma

Former Indian skipper Rohit Sharma further credited the entire team, including players outside the playing XI, team management, etc. 

Rohit added, "And not to forget, there were guys outside who didn't play a single game, but their contribution to the team's success was as good as the playing 11 and the management. To manage that team is never easy. Managing an Indian team is never easy. But I want to give credit. Obviously, I've said it many a times, I've got to give credit to everyone who are part of that team who travel to West Indies and US on a mission to win the World Cup."

ROHIT SHARMA GIVING SPEECH AT CEAT CRICKET AWARDS.🗣️- pic.twitter.com/SeduFwdLlC

— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) October 7, 2025

Under his captaincy, India also won the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 early this year. Now, the next generation is getting ready to maintain the domination in the upcoming ICC tournaments.