AUS vs IND 2025: Why is Tilak Varma not playing in AUS vs IND 5th T20I?

Published - 08 Nov 2025, 13:11 IST | Updated - 08 Nov 2025, 13:29 IST

The visiting team, India, will be without the services of their talented middle-order batter, Tilak Varma, in the fifth and final T20I against Australia, which is set to be played at the iconic The Gabba in Brisbane on Saturday, November 8. The Men in Blue, after winning the third and fourth T20Is, currently lead by a 1-2 margin and look to extend their lead and win the series convincingly. On the other hand, the Aussies have a final chance to level the five-match fixture.

Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh called it correctly at the toss and opted to field first on Saturday. He revealed that bowling first will give his team the chance to assess the surface. Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav, who lost all five tosses, said that he is happy to have the result in his favour.

India made one change in the playing XI for this game, as they decided to rest star middle-order batter Tilak Varma and bring in Rinku Singh, who will play his first game of the series. On the other hand, Australia, which made four changes in the last game, stuck with the same XI.

Going to bowl first. Looks a good surface, always great to come here and play at this great stadium. Certainly a chance to draw the series. Lots to play for. Both teams have played some great cricket. Was bit of an indifferent surface. India bowled superbly. Different conditions tonight. No changes

Until you're winning the game and losing the toss, it's fine. Want to go out and express ourselves. Always good to understand what the team's goal is. All batters realised it wasn't a 200 wicket. All boxes ticked in the last game, just want to continue the same. Always good to win bilaterals. At the same time, what combination you want is more important. Other than openers, this is one format where everyone has to be flexible with batting positions. One change - Tilak is resting, Rinku comes in.

Mitchell Marsh (C), Josh Philippe, Josh Inglis (WK), Tim David, Matthew Short, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Xavier Bartlett, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa.

Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.