Australia Rotates T20 Squad, Rests Ashes Contenders

As of October 25th, 2025, Australia has announced several changes to its T20 squad for the upcoming five-match series against India. The adjustments are aimed at allowing the team's Test contenders to focus on the Sheffield Shield before the highly anticipated Ashes series.

All-rounder Glenn Maxwell, who has been sidelined by a wrist injury, will be returning to the squad for the last three games of the India series. Left-arm paceman Ben Dwarshuis will also be available for the final two matches after missing the recent ODI series due to a calf problem.

In other notable moves, fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, a certainty for the Ashes team, will skip the last three T20 games against India. Fellow quick Sean Abbott, who is among the candidates to fill the spot left open by the likely absence of Pat Cummins for the Ashes opener, will miss the final two matches of the India series.

Uncapped quick Mahli Beardman has also been added to the squad for the last three T20s, which begin in Canberra next Wednesday before moving to Melbourne, Hobart, Gold Coast, and Brisbane.

Wicketkeeper Josh Philippe has joined the squad as continued cover for Josh Inglis, who is still recovering from a calf problem that ruled him out of the recent ODI series against India. Australia took an unassailable 2-0 lead in that series with a victory by two wickets in Adelaide on Thursday.

Additionally, Marnus Labuschagne, a contender for the Australian top order in the Ashes, was released from the ODI squad on Friday to allow him to play red-ball cricket in the Sheffield Shield.