India vs Australia 1st T20I Preview: Suryakumar Yadav leads the charge in Canberra showdown

Get ready for the India vs Australia 1st T20I in Canberra: Suryakumar Yadav captains India in a five-match series opener against a confident Australia side building up to the T20 World Cup.

Team India (Image Credit: BCCI)

The India vs Australia 1st T20I promises to be an electrifying start to the five-match series as both sides lock horns at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. Suryakumar Yadav will lead a fresh Indian squad against a confident Australian team, with both units using this series to fine-tune their combinations ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. Fans can expect fireworks, tactical match-ups, and plenty of drama in this highly anticipated series opener.

Watch the India vs Australia 1st T20I online

Key battles to watch in India vs Australia 1st T20I

The contest will feature several mouth-watering duels. Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma will face the challenge of negotiating Australia’s new-ball attack led by Sean Abbot, who will look to exploit early seam movement. For India, Jasprit Bumrah and Harshit Rana will aim to counter Australia’s explosive top order, including Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh, both of whom have been in formidable form.

Another crucial face-off will be between India’s spin duo, Washington Sundar and Varun Chakaravarthy, against the aggressive middle-order pair of Glenn Maxwell and Tim David. How India’s bowlers contain Australia’s power hitters in the death overs could determine the outcome of the match.

Where to Watch India vs Australia 1st T20I

Cricket fans can catch the India vs Australia 1st T20I live on JioHotstar via OTTPlay premium.

Live streaming will be available on Star Sports Network in India. Viewers in Australia can tune in via Fox Sports and Kayo Sports. The match begins at 1:30 PM IST (7:00 PM local time).

Team Strategies and Conditions

Suryakumar Yadav is expected to rely on India’s deep batting lineup to set or chase down big totals, with Rinku Singh and Sanju Samson adding valuable firepower in the middle order. Australia, on the other hand, will stick to their tried-and-tested formula, early aggression with the bat and relentless pressure from their pace unit.

The Manuka Oval surface traditionally offers true bounce and rewards stroke play, but under lights, the new ball may swing. Both captains will be tempted to field first considering the dew factor, which could make bowling harder in the second innings.

Squads:

India: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar.

Australia: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Sean Abbott (games 1-3), Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman (games 3-5), Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis (games 4-5), Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood (games 1-2), Glenn Maxwell (games 3-5), Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe (wk), Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.

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