The focus shifts to the T20I format between two white-ball powerhouses, Australia and Indiain a five-match series. India enters the series with recent success, winning the Asia Cup 2025while Australia has been in strong overall form in T20Is this year. The series opener features a mix of experience and youth for both sides.

Australia vs India 1st T20I match preview

India, led by Suryakumar Yadavhave been dominant in T20Is, winning 11 of their 12 matches this year. The team embraces a ‘fearless’ and aggressive template. The batting features explosive form from Abhishek Sharma and stability from vice-captain Shubman Gill and Tilak Varma. The bowling attack is potent, led by jasprit bumrah and featuring a strong spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel.

Australia has a transitional squad with some key players like Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott only available for the early part of the series. They are without Pat Cummins, Cameron Green and Adam Zampa. Captain Mitchell Marsh will rely on the explosive batting of Travis Head, Tim David and Josh Inglis. Their pace attack features quality in Josh Hazlewood (for this match) and Nathan Ellisbut their spin options are less proven in this series. Australia have a formidable collective strike rate against spin this year, which will test India’s strength.

AUS vs IND, 1st T20I: Match Details

• Date and Time: Wednesday, October 29; 1:45 pm IST/ 08:15 am GMT/ 7:15 pm Local
• Venue: Manuka Oval, Canberra

AUS vs IND, Head-to-Head Record (T20Is)

Matches Played: 32 | Australia won: 11 | India won: 20 | No results/Tie: 1

Also WATCH:  India captain Suryakumar Yadav delights fan in Australia with a wholesome selfie moment ahead of T20I series

Manuka Oval Pitch Report

The Manuka Oval pitch is known to be batting-friendly and is a high-scoring venue in the T20 format. A score of 180+ is generally considered a competitive total. However, the surface offers assistance to the chasing side, which means the toss can be a significant factor.

AUS vs IND, 1st T20I: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Australia wins the toss and bats first
• Australia powerplay score: 50-60
• Australia total score: 185-205

Case 2:

• India wins the toss and bats first
• India powerplay score: 55-65
• India total score: 190-210

Match result: India to win