Australia have made a late but significant change to their squad ahead of the upcoming T20I series against India, starting October 29 in Canberra. Star leg-spinner Adam Zampa has withdrawn from the first T20 match due to personal reasons, paving the way for Tanveer Sangha to make his return to the national side.
Tanveer Sangha Joins the Squad
Cricket Australia confirmed on Monday that 23-year-old Tanveer Sangha, a New South Wales leg-spinner, has been added to the squad and will join the team in Canberra ahead of the first match. Sangha has been in excellent domestic form, emerging as the leading wicket-taker in the Marsh One-Day Cup with 10 wickets at an average of 14.10.
Sangha has represented Australia in seven T20 Internationals, claiming 10 wickets at an average of 24.9. His standout performance came against South Africa in 2023, when he picked up four wickets on debut. The young spinner, who also impressed during Australia A’s recent tour of India, will now partner Matthew Kuhnemann in the spin department for the upcoming series.
Zampa’s Absence Explained
Zampa’s absence will certainly be felt by the visitors. The 32-year-old leg-spinner is Australia’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is, with 131 wickets in 106 matches at an average of 21.38. According to reports, Zampa opted out due to family commitments, as he and his wife are expecting their second child.
Zampa, who played a key role in Australia’s recent ODI series win over India, decided to skip the T20 opener to spend time with his family. His withdrawal opens the door for Sangha to prove himself once again at the international level.
Sangha’s Rising Reputation
Sangha’s inclusion is a reward for consistency. Besides his domestic heroics, the young spinner also played a crucial role for Australia A during their tour of India, where he took seven wickets in three List-A matches in Kanpur. He continues to be seen as one of Australia’s brightest spin prospects for the future.
Australia’s T20I Squad for India Series
Mitchell Marsh (captain), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha.
With the first T20I scheduled for October 29 at Manuka Oval, the focus will now be on how Australia’s spin attack performs without Zampa. For Sangha, this series is a golden opportunity to cement his place as Australia’s next big spin talent.
