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'It won’t be easy for them' - Former RCB star issues warning to India ahead of T20Is vs Australia
Former AB de Villiers warns the Indian T20I squad that winning in Australia will be tough, pointing to home-advantage, the recent ODI series and the strength of the hosts.
Arunima Purohit
Oct 29, 2025
Team India (Image Credit: BCCI)
As India prepares to lock horns with Australia in the five-match T20I series starting October 29, 2025, former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter AB de Villiers has delivered a blunt reality check. The legendary South African cricketer believes that while India’s T20 talent pool is world-class, conquering Australia in their own backyard will be far from easy. His comments come just days after India’s ODI series loss, where despite flashes of brilliance, the visitors struggled to maintain consistency.
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AB de Villiers’ warning and India’s road ahead
Speaking on his YouTube channel, AB de Villiers said India’s explosive batting lineup and deep T20 experience, largely honed through the IPL, give them an edge in skill. However, he cautioned that Australian pitches, characterized by extra bounce and pace, will test even the best. “It won’t be easy for them,” de Villiers said, emphasizing that India’s top order must quickly adapt if they want to dictate the series.
The former Proteas captain highlighted how India’s batters sometimes take time to adjust to conditions outside Asia, especially when facing Australia’s fiery pace attack. Bowlers like Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, backed by all-rounders such as Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell, are expected to target India’s middle order aggressively.
"It's an away series for India so it won't be easy for them, as we saw in the ODIs. I know it is a different format but winning that last ODI, maybe that sort of just helped the morale of the T20 team to go, 'You know what, let's upset the Aussies in their backyard'. These are the best two teams in T20 at the moment," De Villiers said on his YouTube channel.
Where to watch India vs Australia 1st T20I match?
Cricket fans in India can watch the Australia vs India, 1st T20I LIVE in Canberra on JioHotstar, accessible via OTTplay Premium.
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