Australia vs India 1st T20I: Preview, probable XI, pitch report, weather forecast and where to watch

The ODI series didn't go to plan for India but they showed in the final game of the series that they can be dangerous when they get their act together. Not having played an ODI for seven months did show as they were rusty initially and the Aussies capitalised on that to seal the series with a game to spare.

 

The caravan now moves to the game's shortest format and this is where India have been in red-hot form after their unbeaten Asia Cup title win not too long ago. Australia also have been in excellent T20 form and these two teams are arguably the best two sides in the world when it comes to this format.

 

Australia

 

Since January 2024, the Aussies have won 26 of their 32 T20Is with one no-result in that. Their impeccable batting firepower has seen them seal bilateral series wins against England, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan and West Indies during this period. The Aussies haven't lost in eight successive T20I series, winning seven and drawing one. Their last series defeat, however, was against India in 2023.

 

Mitchell Starc's retirement means that there is seamer's slot available and Xavier Bartlett could take that spot with his new-ball ability as well as hitting potential down the order. Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood should be the other specialist bowlers to start with Australia's emphasis on all-rounders giving them enough options with the ball.

 

India

 

The visitors will once again miss Hardik Pandya as they did in the ODI series and the all-rounder's absence is a big blow to their team combination. Kuldeep Yadav missed out in the first two ODIs due to the team balance factor but the wrist spinner is unlikely to be benched in T20Is as he forms a potent threat with fellow wrist spinner Varun Chakaravarthy.

 

Nitish Reddy isn't fully fit from the injury he sustained in the Adelaide ODI and could sit this game out. Shivam Dube, who did a strong job in UAE conditions, might once again don a support seamer's role with Jasprit Bumrah and Harshit Rana expected to be the main seamers. Since January 2024, India have won 32 of their 38 T20Is with three games washed out.

 

Probable XI

 

Australia: Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh(c), Josh Inglis(wk), Matt Short, Tim David, Mitchell Owen, Marcus Stoinis, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

 

India: Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson(wk), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy

 

Pitch report

 

Surfaces at the Manuka Oval have been on the slower side and good for batting. The average score batting first in all forms of T20 cricket is 150 while for T20Is, it goes down further to 144. The only India-Australia game at this venue was in 2020 when the visitors made 161 and won by 11 runs.

 

Weather forecast

 

It is expected to be a cool week in Canberra and there are small chances of rain on match day although they are expected to be passing showers at best. Humidity levels will be moderate and it should be mostly cloudy conditions.

 

Where to watch

 

Australia-India T20I will be telecast on Star Sports Network while JioHotstar own the streaming rights for this series.

 

Sports