“No one has been able to solve it”

Former batsman Parthiv Patel made a cheeky comment about India's enigma number three ahead of the fifth T20I against Australia. The fifth and final game of the series Down Under will be played on Saturday November 8 in Brisbane.

When asked about three things to look forward to before the contest, Parthiv Patel said:

“Who will bat at number three? No one has been able to work it out.” (via Star Sports)

Skipper Suryakumar Yadav batted at number three in the first game. Sanju Samson batted at the position in the second game. Suryakumar returned to the position for the third game, while Shivam Dubey moved up to number three in the fourth T20I.

Parthiv also expected Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav to score big runs. So far in the series, the right-hander has scored 84 runs in four games. He also expected an ace pacer jasprit bumrah to reach his milestone of 100 wickets in T20Is.

Former pacer Varun Aaron also seconded Parthiv Patel. He claimed that Suryakumar had to score big and hoped that he would come good in Brisbane.

“I think he needs to have a big innings. A big fifty, a big hundred. It's been too long since he's gone without a big score,” he said.

Aaron also expressed himself to see Bumrah pick up a five-wicket haul. Bumrah has bowled well in the series but has taken only three wickets at an average of 26.33 and an economy of 6.58.

“Bumrah has bowled so well in the powerplay. He just needs a few early breakthroughs, and we could see a Bumah five-fer; you never know.”

Also, the former pacer stated that it could be a high-scoring match in Brisbane. Aaron calculated that a total of over 200 could be seen for the first time in this series.

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Abhinav Mukund expects India to win the series 3-1

Former cricketer Abhinav Mukund expected India to win the series 3-1. The visitors lead 2-1 heading into the final T20I. Although he stated that there could be changes to the team, he would want them to win the series regardless.

“I want to see India lift the series 3-1 even though they make wholesale changes, everyone gets into it, but still win the series,” he said.

With no batsman from either side yet to score a century in this series, Mukund also expressed his desire to see a century scored by a batsman in the final T20I on a flat wicket in Brisbane. The former batsman was hopeful that Rinku Singh would also get a chance. Rinku has warmed the bench so far in this series and last played in the final of the Asia Cup 2025.