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Former stumper Parthiv Patel made a cheeky comment on India's number three conundrum ahead of the fifth T20I against Australia. The fifth and final match of the series Down Under will be played on Saturday, November 8, in Brisbane.When asked about three things to look forward to ahead of the contest, Parthiv Patel said:"Who will bat at number three? No one has been able to solve it." (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 Dube was promoted to number three in the fourth T20I. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostParthiv also looked forward to the Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav scoring big runs. So far in the series, he right-hander has scored 84 runs from four matches. He also expected ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah to reach his milestone of 100 wickets in T20Is.Former pacer Varun Aaron also seconded Parthiv Patel. He stated that Suryakumar was due for a big score and expected him to come good in Brisbane."I think he is due a big innings. A big fifty, a big hundred. It has been too long he has gone without a big score," he stated.Aaron also expressed to see Bumrah pick up a five-wicket haul. Bumrah has bowled well in the series but has picked up just three wickets at an average of 26.33 and an economy of 6.58."Bumrah has been bowling so well in the powerplay. Just needs a few early breakthroughs, and we can see a Bumah five-fer; you never know."Further, the former pacer stated that it could be a high-scoring game in Brisbane. Aaron reckoned that a 200-plus total could be seen for the first time in this series.Abhinav Mukund expects India to win the series 3-1Former cricketer Abhinav Mukund expected India to win the series 3-1. The visitors are leading 2-1 heading into the final T20I. While he stated that there could be changes in 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 a go, but still win the series," he said.As no batter from either side has scored a century in this series yet, Mukund also expressed his wish to see a century being scored by a batter in the final T20I on a flat Brisbane wicket. The former batter hoped for Rinku Singh to get a chance as well. Rinku has warmed the bench so far this series and last played in the final of the Asia Cup 2025.
