HYDERABAD, INDIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Cameron Green of Australia celebrates after scoring a fifty during game three of the T20 International series between India and Australia at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Hyderabad, India. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

The most in-form Australian cricketer right now is 23-year-old Cameron Green.

Before last night's series-opening clash against the West Indies, Green had just scored 52 off 21 on an Indian pitch.

Yes, the match was lost, and the series went 2-1 with it, but it was at no fault of Green's, who also bowled at by far the best economy of any Australian bowler with 4.67, with the next best being Daniel Sams at 8.61.

It's obvious why Green wasn't initially included in the squad.

First and foremost, Australia are the defending champions, and the side that earned that title defied the odds and made history by doing so, which fairly led to them staying on.

However, now Cricket Australia has to see the opportunity in front of them, the opportunity to be the first nation to win the T20 World Cup back-to-back, an achievement that would make the nation giants in the 20-over game - something they have been at one point or another in both Test and ODI cricket over the years.

On the face of things, it's bemusing why he hasn't already been added to the 15-man squad. Green is on the precipice of dominating in all three formats; why not give him a shot at being a world champion?

Well, that answer comes in two parts. The first is someone would have to miss out, but who? The obvious choice would be the player in the worst form, but that happens to be the captain Aaron Finch who appears to be looking to go out on a high after the World Cup, and in fairness, he showed signs of improvement against India, and again last night against the West Indies.

Then perhaps you would look to fitness. Marcus Stoinis is struggling with a side strain and will have limited preparation before the defence begins on October 22. Mitchell Marsh, too, is struggling with an ankle injury, which is currently limiting him to a batting only role despite his return against the West Indies on the Gold Coast.

Green is a like-for-like replacement for both players, but they won the World Cup, and Green hasn't had the chance, so even under-prepared, they'll almost certainly remain in the squad.

But this isn't the only justification the selectors will use. Instead, they'll also say, if anything, that Green's fitness needs to be maintained, especially with such a heavy calendar of Test series and tours looming.

He's struggled with back injuries already in his career and will be a constant throughout the crowded Australia match schedule from now until the Ashes. Add to that his now apparent IPL aspirations, and you've got a player who needs to find time to rest his body, but is the ideal rest time during the World Cup?

I don't think so.

With Green's form, you can't afford not to pick him, even if that forces a harsh reality onto someone else. Right now, it seems he will remain left out. Should that happen, and should Australia fail to retain the World Cup on home soil, big questions will have to be asked about why the best player in the warmups somehow didn't make it to the object of all the preparation.