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

The table toppers India Masters will take on the ‘struggling’ Australia Masters in the ninth game of the ongoing International Masters League 2025 (IML 2025). The game will be played at the Reliance Stadium in Vadodara on Wednesday, March 5, at 7:30 PM (IST). It will be a crucial for India to maintain their dominance in the tournament.

Sachin Tendulkar-led India Masters are coming off three successive wins in their first three games against SL Masters, England Masters, and South Africa Masters, respectively. The Men in Blue will aim to win this match and strengthen their position at the top of the tournament’s points table.

Having said that, here let us take a look at the predicted playing XI of India Masters for their next clash against Australia Masters:

Openers – Ambati Rayudu (WK) and Sachin Tendulkar (C)

The Indian management might look ahead to go with the unchanged opening pair of skipper Ambati Rayudu and skipper Sachin Tendulkar. Rayudu played a crucial knock of 41 runs off 34 balls, with seven fours in the last game against South Africa Masters. He will be eyeing to replicate the same performance in the game against Australia Masters.

On the other hand, Sachin Tendulkar will aim to get his form back in the game against the Aussies. He could score only 6 runs off 8 wickets, with one four in the previous game. So, it will also be a crucial game for him.

Middle-Order – Pawan Negi, Yuvraj Singh, and Gurkeerat Singh Mann

The middle order of the India Masters is expected to start with Pawan Negi at number three; he scored 21 runs off 12 balls, with two fours and a six in the last game against South Africa Masters. He will be followed by the veteran batter Yuvraj Singh at number four, who might add some important runs in the middle order. Yuvraj also impressed with the ball in the last game, scalping 3 wickets at just 12 runs in two overs.

Following Negi and Yuvraj Singh, Gurkeerat Singh Mann will be there to bat at number five for India Masters. Mann can play some big shots to help India post a big total on the board.

All-Rounders – Yusuf Pathan and Irfan Pathan

The all-rounder duo for India in the next game against Australia might include the Pathan brothers, Irfan Pathan and Yusuf Pathan. Both Irfan and Yusuf can change the game with their amazing batting and bowling abilities. Be it batting in the lower middle order or bowling in the middle overs of the innings.

Besides that, the management might also give it a think to promote Irfan Pathan up in the batting order to bat at number four. He could score some impactful runs in the beginning of the innings.

Bowlers – Stuart Binny, Dhawal Kulkarni, Abhimanyu Mithun, and Rahul Sharma

Team India will look ahead to field the same bowling quartet in the playing XI while taking on Australia Masters in the next game. It will include the pacers, Stuart Binny, Dhawal Kulkarni, and Abhimanyu Mithun as three out-and-out pace bowlers. The trio will be accompanied by the specialist spinner Rahul Sharma

Rahul Sharma scalped 3 wickets at just 18 runs in his four overs, with an impressive economy rate of 4.50. Besides him, Stuart Binny also bagged 2 wickets, conceding only 1 run in 0.5 overs.

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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