IMLT20: Predicting Australia Masters’ Playing XI for their clash against India Masters

The ‘down and out’ Australia Masters will face the table toppers India Masters in the ninth game of the ninth fixture of the ongoing International Masters League 2025 (IML 2025). Vadodara’s Reliance Stadium will host this game on Wednesday, March 5, at 2:30 PM (IST). It will be a crucial and all-important game for Australia Masters.

The Aussies are coming off two successive defeats in their first two matches against West Indies Masters and Sri Lanka Masters, respectively. They are currently placed in the rock bottom of the tournament standings. Shane Watson’s men will aim to get success in this must-win game to keep their hopes alive in the tournament.

Given that, here we’ll have a look at the predicted playing XI of Australia Masters for their next clash against India Masters.

Openers – Shane Watson (C) and Shaun Marsh

The opening pair of Australia Masters might look the same in the pair of skipper Shane Watson and the veteran opener Shaun Marsh. Shane Watson smashed a century in the campaign opener against WI Masters before scoring 16 runs off 13 balls in the last game against SL Masters.

Speaking of Shaun Marsh, he played a crucial and decisive knock of 77 runs off just 49 balls, with seven fours and five sixes in the last game against Sri Lanka Masters. However, it ended on the losing side of the game but his form will be a good positive for Australia Masters in the next game against India Masters.

Middle-Order – Ben Dunk, Dan Christian, and Nathan Reardon, and Peter Nevill

The middle order of the Australia Masters will start with the star in-form number three batter Ben Dunk; he smashed 56 runs off just 29 balls, with five fours and four sixes in the last game. He will be followed by Dan Christian at number four, who scored 34 runs off just 13 balls, with 4 fours and two sixes.

Following Dunk and Christian, Nathan Reardon will come to bat number five; he can also add some crucial runs in the middle order to help Australia Masters post a big total on the board against the India Masters. Wicketkeeper-batter Peter Nevill will also be there to score some impactful runs while batting at number six in the lineup.

All-Rounder – Ben Cutting

Australia Masters might go ahead with Ben Cutting as a specialist all-rounder in the playing XI for the game against India Masters. He scored 19 runs off just 7 balls, with one four and two sixes in the last game against Sri Lanka Masters to help his side post a 200+ score.

He can also bowl some crucial overs with the ball to take some important wickets in the middle and slog overs. So, Cutting will be a good choice to pick as an all-rounder in the playing XI.

Bowlers – Nathan Coulter-Nile, Xavier Doherty, Ben Hilfenhaus, and Ben Laughlin

Speaking of Australia Masters’ bowling quartet, it will include Nathan Coulter-Nile, Ben Hilfenhaus, and Ben Laughlin as the three out-and-out pace bowlers in the playing XI. This pace trio is likely to be accompanied by the specialist spinner Xavier Doherty in the final XI.

Ben Laughlin scalped 3 wickets at 35 runs in his four overs and he was the leading wicket-taker for his side in the previous game. Ben Hilfenhaus and Xavier Doherty also bagged a wicket each for Australia. So, the Aussies might field the same bowling attack in the next clash against Sachin Tendulkar’s men.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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