James Faulkner, man-of-the-match in the 2015 World Cup final against New Zealand, has been omitted from the 15-man squad named on Thursday, with selectors opting for all-rounders Moises Henriques, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis.
Smith's selection was mostly influenced by Australia's emphasis on having bowling options in their top six.
He looks to be in the form of his life, as Punjab had no ammunition to outmanoeuvre him.
Buttler said he was asked by the on-field umpires whether he intended to appeal but decided to let the moment pass.
The squad also sees the return of proven Test and one-day bowler James Pattinson, who joined Australia A in India after recovering from a string of injuries
Adam Zampa picked up two wickets in a miserly spell of leg spin bowling as Australia edged India by four runs in an enthralling rain-shortened Twenty20 International in Brisbane on Wednesday.
Up against Delhi Capitals, RCB will need to address their middle-order woes, to return to winning ways, in what could be touted as a battle of equals.
Australia, who are searching for their maiden T20 title, enter the tournament on the back of a horrific run, losing bilateral series to Bangladesh, West Indies, New Zealand, India and England.
As coach Ricky Ponting pointed out, he would expect a better "on his feet" thinking from the young captain.
Opener David Warner, who set up a crucial victory for Australia with a whirlwind century in the ongoing World Cup on Friday, credited the IPL for working as a learning platform where he perfected the art of pacing an ODI innings.
Australia made heavy weather of a modest chase before beating Sri Lanka by three wickets in the second Twenty20 International on Wednesday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
They have looked more comfortable setting targets than chasing one though, and they will expect more penetration from their bowlers against a resurgent Australia.
Dhoni's men will have to adapt to the conditions quickly to avoid any such hiccup in the play-offs.
For a team that looked at ease all along, it was their first defeat in the UAE leg -- and three from 11 matches this season -- as Delhi struggled to get going against KKR bowlers who made full use of the slow surface after opting to bowl.
IMAGES from the 4th ODI played between Australia and South Africa in Pretoria on Friday.
Pat Cummins and Co. stormed into the semi-finals on the back of one of the greatest ODI innings played by Glenn Maxwell. The all-rounder battled cramps to smash an unbeaten 201 off 128 balls to lift Australia from a precarious 91 for seven to the victory target of 292 against Afghanistan.
Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed denied his team carry any scars from their 5-0 rout by Australia in March
Though Mankad walked away with the man of the match award, there was no denying that Pandya and Pooran's roles were decisive in the final outcome.
IMAGES from the 1st ODI played between India and Australia in Hyderabad on Saturday
Former captain and coach Anil Kumble believes having totally different squads in limited overs and Test format is the way forward for India in international cricket.
Srinivas Bhogle and Purnendu Maji present Rediff.com's Most Valuable Player Index of IPL 2024 after Game 62.
IMAGES from the IPL 2022 game between Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday.
It is very difficult not to respect Mohmmed Shami for his mastery over his craft.
Srinivas Bhogle and Purnendu Maji present Rediff.com's Most Valuable Player Index of IPL 2024 after Game 46.
Virat Kohli's woeful form continued as India 'A' were shot out for a paltry 135 by Australia 'A' in the second unofficial 'Test' in Chennai on Wednesday.
Centuries from skipper Babar Azam (114) and opener Imam-ul-Haq (106) allowed the hosts to reach the total
The likes of Suresh Raina, Brendon McCullum, and Aaron Finch will be aiming to match the likes of Glenn Maxwell, Hashim Amla, and Marcus Stoinis stroke for stroke on what promises to be another belter of a track.
Gambhir underlined the importance of picking up early wickets and criticised Kohli for his 'poor captaincy' in the second ODI.
England posted a world record 481 for six before they demolished Australia by 242 runs in the third match of their ODI series at Trent Bridge, Nottingham on Tuesday.
Pooran Or De Kock? Dhawan or Pandya? Whose batting topped Saturday's contest?
Both teams will be looking to get out of the danger zone as eight teams remain in the play-off contention.
Australia have dropped Test skipper Tim Paine from their one-day squad for next month's series against South Africa and named opening batsman Aaron Finch as captain in his place.
Delhi Capitals, who outclassed Mumbai Indians by six wickets in their last match of IPL 2021, will be looking to build on their momentum when they take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in their next game at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday.
Pragyan Ojha bagged an impressive five-wicket haul as India 'A' dismissed Australia 'A' for 268 before extending their lead to 154 runs by the end of the third day's play in the first unofficial cricket Test, at the M A Chidambaram stadium, in Chennai, on Friday. At the close of play, the hosts were 121 for 3 in their second innings.
Images from the IPL 2024 match between Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Sunday.
K L Rahul struck an unbeaten 75 to anchor their nervy chase against Australia in a low-scoring contest and secure a five-wicket win in the opening one-day international.
Ayush Badoni sizzled on a gloomy day in Lucknow with a career-best 59 to steal the thunder in the rain-hit match against Chennai Super Kings.
Rain played spoilsport as the afternoon IPL match between Lucknow Super Giants and Chennai Super Kings was washed out, with the two sides splitting points.
Australia meet South Africa in a one-off T20 match on the Gold Coast on November 17, before three T20s against India starting in Brisbane on November 21.
Shikhar Dhawan is a big match player and he proved it yet again
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