NEW DELHI: Australia's T20I squad in India is set for a major overhaul as selectors opt for fresh faces in the upcoming matches of the five-game series.
Six World Cup winners, including Steve Smith and Adam Zampa, are reportedly heading home before the series concludes.
The New Joinees: The changes see the return of wicketkeeper-batter Josh Phillippe and big-hitter Ben McDermott, who are available for the third T20I in Guwahati.
Additionally, NSW duo Ben Dwarshuis and spinner Chris Green will join the squad in Raipur ahead of the fourth match.
International cap on the card: Green, recently appointed as the full-time captain of the Sydney Thunder, is in line to make his international debut in either Raipur or the series-ending match in Bengaluru.
With extensive experience in T20 cricket globally, Green has emerged as a force for the NSW Blues in domestic formats.
Head still in the squad: Travis Head remains the sole player from Australia's victorious World Cup squad in India, accompanied by Tanveer Sangha, who travels with the squad as a reserve.
Must-win game for Australia: Australia face a must-win situation in the third T20 after slipping to defeat in the first two matches.
Despite standout performances like Josh Inglis' 47-ball century in the opening match, India chased down Australia's total.And in the second match, India posted a formidable 235/4, restricting Australia to 191/9.
1/10:3rd T20I: India aim to seal series against Australia
ANI
2/10:Tilak Varma's possible exit
The stylish Tilak Varma wouldn't mind some quality batting time before his possible exit from the playing eleven as the Indian team aims to take an unassailable lead against Australia on Tuesday.PTI
3/10:Shreyas Iyer to join squad
Shreyas Iyer, who was given a week's rest after the World Cup final, will join the squad for the last two games in Raipur and Bengaluru, taking vice-captaincy duties from Ruturaj Gaikwad.AFP
4/10:Indian team on a roll
The new-look Indian team would like to keep its foot firmly on the pedal on a Barsapara Stadium track that has traditionally been a batting belter.AFP
5/10:Australia's fatigue showing
For Australia, some of their senior players like Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa have been in India for nine weeks and fatigue is showing.AFP
6/10:Tilak's last chance
Tilak, who has not missed any of India's last 12 T20 Internationals, is in a tricky place as he bats No.5 and he faced just 12 deliveries in the last two games.PTI
7/10:Bowling performance improvement
Considering the nature of tracks on offer, Indian bowlers put up a far improved performance in the second game after conceding 208 runs in the series-opener.AP
8/10:India's top-order success
India's top-order has ticked all the boxes with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad and skipper Suryakumar Yadav hitting a half-century each. Ishan Kishan has got two half centuries under his belt.ANI
9/10:Prasidh Krishna's strong comeback
Prasidh Krishna, after being creamed by Jos Inglis and Steve Smith in Visakhapatnam, made a strong comeback with three wickets in his second spell.AFP
10/10:Improved bowling in dew-laden conditions
What has significantly improved from Indian bowlers is the decrease in boundary percentage while defending in dew-laden conditions in Thiruvananthapuram.AFPThe Big Picture: Australia's T20 campaign in India is part of their preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the USA and the Caribbean, with a total of 10 T20 internationals scheduled before the global tournament.
Players who returned home: Steven Smith, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Sean Abbott, Adam Zampa
Updated Australia T20 squad: Matthew Wade (c), Jason Behrendorff, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Chris Green, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Ben McDermott, Josh Philippe, Tanveer Sangha, Matt Short, Kane Richardson
