India look to maintain winning rhythm at Carrara

With the five-match T20 series delicately poised at 1-1, India will look to seize the upper hand when they face a weakened Australian side in the fourth T20 International at Carrara on Thursday. For Shubman Gill, it’s also time to rediscover his rhythm after a string of modest scores that have shadowed his otherwise promising tour.

Gill’s form under the scanner

India’s vice-captain Shubman Gill has endured a lean patch across formats on this tour. His scores since the start of the ODIs 10, 9, 24, 37*, 5, and 15 tell the story of a player searching for timing and confidence. While Gill’s technique has been tested by fuller deliveries moving away, the elegant right-hander will hope for a turnaround before switching to red-ball duties for the upcoming Test series.

With India eyeing a 2-1 lead, a fluent knock from Gill could set the tone for both his personal comeback and the team’s dominance. His opening partner, Abhishek Sharma, has impressed with brisk starts and a classy half-century, underlining his position as the world’s No. 1 T20 batter.

Balanced Indian setup finds Its groove

India appeared to strike the right balance in the third game, blending power hitters with all-round depth. Washington Sundar’s cameo, a sparkling 49 off 23 balls, was the decisive blow that swung the contest India’s way.

The return of left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh has added more control to the attack, which now looks far more settled. With Kuldeep Yadav released to prepare for the South Africa Tests, the management faces the familiar challenge of finding the right bowling mix.

When Arshdeep plays, India tends to prefer Washington Sundar for his dual skills, while in Kuldeep’s presence, Harshit Rana’s batting ability becomes valuable. For now, the current combination appears to have struck the right rhythm.

Skipper Suryakumar Yadav has shown glimpses of his trademark flair with two crisp starts, and he’ll aim to convert one into a big innings before the team takes a short break. He’s also expected to feature in Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy clash against Puducherry later this month.

Australia missing key Pillars

Australia, meanwhile, will once again be without two key figures Josh Hazlewood and Travis Head. The absence of Head, who returns to domestic duties for the Sheffield Shield ahead of the Ashes, leaves a void at the top of the order. In his place, Matthew Short is likely to open alongside captain Mitchell Marsh.

The Aussies will depend heavily on Marsh and Tim David for their middle-order firepower, while Glenn Maxwell’s presence adds experience and explosiveness. However, bowling remains a concern. Sean Abbott struggled to make an impact in the last match, and one of Ben Dwarshuis or Mahli Beardman could get the nod to strengthen the attack.

Advantage India at Carrara

With home advantage absent and key Australian names missing, India enter the contest as clear favourites. A win here would give them a 2-1 lead before the final game at the Gabba, setting up the chance to seal another overseas series triumph.

For Gill and his team, Thursday’s clash is not just about gaining an edge in the series — it’s about momentum, confidence, and setting the tone for a packed season ahead.

The match starts at 1:45 PM IST.

The Carrara Oval pitch is expected to offer true bounce and good carry, favouring stroke play with some help for pacers early on.

Weather forecast: Clear skies with mild humidity and no threat of rain, ensuring a full game under lights.

*Teams:

India: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson (WK). Australia:* Mitchell Marsh (C), Matthew Short, Josh Inglis (WK), Josh Phillippe (WK), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Owen, Adam Zampa, Matt Kuhnemann, Nathan Ellis, Xavier Bartlett, Ben Dwarshuis, Mahli Beardman.