Josh Philippe in line for T20I return as Matt Short undergoes surgery ahead of Australia vs India T20I series

Josh Philippe is poised for a T20I return as Australia adjusts its squad for the first T20I against India, following Matt Short's finger injury and surgery.

Image | Cricket Australia

Josh Philippe is set for a potential T20I comeback as Australia reshuffles its side ahead of the first T20I against India, following Matt Short’s finger injury and subsequent surgery. This development, alongside the recall of Ben McDermott, signals notable changes to Australia’s lineup ahead of an intense five-match series, starting October 29 in Canberra.

Where to watch the match?

Cricket fans in India can watch the Australia vs India, 1st T20I at Perth on JioHotstar, accessible via OTTplay Premium.

Short has a cut on his finger

Matt Short, who recently carved out a role in Australia’s T20I top order, suffered a severe cut to his right ring finger while attempting a catch during the second ODI against India in Adelaide.

Despite continuing to play after immediate treatment—scoring 74 in the chase and then contributing in the next game—Short’s injury required surgical intervention to clean up deep tissue damage requiring stitches below the nail. With uncertainty lingering over his prolonged absence, Short will stay with the squad and hopes to be fit for the later matches in the series.

Philippe and McDermott in focus

Short’s unavailability opens the door for Josh Philippe, who last played T20Is for Australia in 2023, to return as a likely middle-order option. Philippe, who has recently been active in Sheffield Shield and Australia A tours, stands to benefit directly from the reshuffle. Meanwhile, Ben McDermott, after a stint in the Caribbean Premier League and promising domestic returns for Tasmania, joins as backup—his international recall coming after nearly two years.​

With Josh Inglis fully fit after a calf injury, he is set to return at number three, a spot previously occupied by Short in Australia’s New Zealand T20Is earlier this year. Captain Mitch Marsh underlined the need for flexibility amid a jam-packed international schedule, emphasising clarity in roles for new or returning squad members.

Read Also: Australia vs India, 1st T20I: When and where to watch in India?

Full squads

Australia squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott (games 1-3), Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman (games 3-5), Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis (games 4-5), Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood (games 1-2), Ben McDermott (standby player) Glenn Maxwell (games 3-5), Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe (wk), Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Tanveer Sangha

India squad: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Abhishek Sharma, 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

Probable XIs

Australia: Mitchell Marsh (C), Travis Head, Tim David, Josh Inglis (WK), Matthew Wade, Josh Philippe, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Kane Richardson, Nathan Ellis.

India: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy.

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