Australia captain Mitchell Marsh has issued a warning to the Indian side ahead of the five-match T20I series. He noted that he understands that an ultra-aggressive batting plan will not always pay off, but that his squad will continue with its attacking style as part of its preparations for next year's T20 World Cup, after falling short in the previous two editions.  

Australia will face India in a five-match T20I series beginning on Wednesday as part of their preparation for the showpiece, which will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February-March next year. Australia last won the T20 World Cup in 2021, while India won the last edition in 2024.

"We had two World Cups where we didn't quite go all the way. And I guess we spoke about wanting to challenge ourselves as a team to what we think can win us the World Cup. As a batting unit, we have played a lot more aggressively. I think that's been the nature of T20 cricket for a lot of teams over the last few years.

But yeah, if you look towards the World Cup in India, that's certainly the way we're going to play. We're not going to get it right every time. We will fail. But we're clear on how we want to go about it. That gives us the best chance for success. And hopefully that's the case as we keep building,” Marsh stated during the pre-series press conference on Tuesday.

Australia had finished in Super 12 and Super 8 in the 2022 and 2024 T20 World Cup editions.

"Look, they (India) are a fantastic team, one that we have great respect for, and I think a five-match series is going to provide a lot of excitement for the fans that are coming to watch. It's two really good teams that are going to be going at it. So, looking forward to the challenge," he added.

Marsh said while he wouldn't comment on India's preparations for the World Cup, Australia was confident with the progress they had made as a group.

“I'm not really here to comment much on the Indian side of preparation for the World Cup, but I know that we've got eight games to go for us. And we're really building nicely as a team in the way we want to play and go about it. So, yeah, we feel great at the moment. But we know that it's going to be a big series against India.

Not necessarily (more challenging). I think around the world, cricket there's so much footage these days. Everyone watches everyone. The key is execution under pressure. That's all it comes down to,” Marsh added.

Mitchell Marsh also acknowledged the Abhishek Sharma threat to the Australian team. Sharma is coming off a brilliant Asia Cup, where he scored 314 runs at a strike rate of 200.

"He obviously sets the tone for them. He's been incredible for the Sunrisers over the last little period of time. He'll provide us with a good challenge... I think you want to be challenged against the best players in the world. We know he's one of those," Marsh said.

The Australian skipper himself has been in fine touch at the top, scoring two centuries and two half-centuries in his last 10 innings.

"I think it's just like any other batsman; you want to contribute to winning games for Australia. That's really all I'm focused on when I'm batting. I'm not really thinking as a captain; I'm trying to have a really good partnership with Heady or whoever it is that I'm batting with. So hopefully it will continue,” Marsh stated.

The first T20I will be played in Canberra on October 29.

(PTI inputs)