New Delhi: Australia captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss and chose to field first in the opening T20I against India at the Manuka Oval in Canberra. India made a few notable selections, opting for two frontline pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Harshit Rana along with a spin trio of Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakravarthy. Arshdeep Singh missed out on a place in the playing XI.
India faced a setback ahead of the match as Nitish Kumar Reddy was ruled out of the first three games due to injury. Despite the blow, the team led by Suryakumar Yadav enters the series high on confidence after clinching the Asia Cup 2025 title earlier this month.
Australia, on the other hand, present a formidable challenge with key players like Travis Head, Marsh, and Josh Hazlewood in the squad. Their aggressive approach and familiarity with home conditions make them a tough opponent for the in-form Indian side.
This five-match T20I series marks the start of India’s build-up to the T20 World Cup scheduled for early next year. The series is the first of three preparatory assignments, with ten more matches lined up against South Africa and New Zealand that will be played in conditions similar to the upcoming global event.
For young opener Abhishek Sharma, who impressed in the Asia Cup, the Australian pitches will provide a new test with their extra bounce and pace. His adaptability, along with the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, will be key to India’s batting success.
With Bumrah leading the attack and Varun Chakravarthy bringing variation through his mystery spin, India’s bowling combination will look to capitalize on early breakthroughs if their batters can post a competitive total. The match in Canberra sets the tone for India’s long preparation stretch leading up to the T20 World Cup.
