Ahead of the T20I series against Team India, Australia`s skipper Mitchell Marsh is aware that an ultra-aggressive batting strategy won`t always pay off, but said his team will continue with its attacking approach in order to prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2026.
“We had two World Cups where we didn`t quite go all the way. And I guess we spoke about wanting to challenge ourselves as a team to what we think can win us to the World Cup,” Marsh said during the pre-series press conference.
The Aussies will lock horns with Team India for the five-match T20I series. The first match is scheduled to be played on Wednesday at the Manuka Oval.
The contest will also serve as a preparatory series for the global showpiece in 2026. Australia last won the T20 World Cup in 2021, while India triumphed in the last edition in 2024.
“As a batting unit, we have played a lot more aggressively. I think that`s been the nature of T20 cricket for a lot of teams over the last few years. But yeah, if you look towards the World Cup in India, that`s certainly the way we`re going to play. We`re not going to get it right every time. We will fail. But we`re clear on how we want to go about it. That gives us the best chance for success. And hopefully that`s the case as we keep building,” added the 34-year-old cricketer.
Marsh heaped praise on India by calling it a “fantastic team” and stated that the Aussies are looking forward to the T20I series.
“Look, they (India) are a fantastic team, one which we have great respect for and I think five-match series are going to provide a lot of excitement for the fans that are coming to watch. It`s two really good teams that are going to be going at it. So, looking forward to the challenge,” he said.
IND vs AUS T20Is: Squads
India’s T20I squad: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill (VC), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson (WK), Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar.
Australia`s squad for the first two T20I matches against Team India: Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Tanveer Sangha.
(With PTI Inputs)