The excitement of international cricket shifts to the shortest format as Australia and India prepare to clash in the first T20I of the five-match series at Manuka Oval, Canberra, on Wednesday, October 29. This marks the first T20I series between the two powerhouses in over 16 months, with their last encounter coming during the 2024 T20 World Cup — a tournament India famously won. Both teams are in strong form and ready to set the stage for a thrilling contest.
Match Details:
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Match: Australia vs India, 1st T20I, India Tour of Australia 2025
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Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025
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Time: 1:45 PM (Pakistan Standard Time)
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Venue: Manuka Oval, Canberra
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Live Streaming: JioStar Network Channels and JioHotstar (App & Website) for India; Fox Sports and Kayo Sports in Australia; Willow TV in the USA; and SuperSport in South Africa
Team Overview
Australia:
The hosts come into this series riding high on recent success across formats. In T20Is, Australia have been dominant, winning four of their last five matches. Under the leadership of Mitchell Marsh, they boast a well-rounded squad with both power hitters and experienced bowlers. Travis Head and Matt Short add explosive options at the top, while Josh Inglis and Tim David ensure firepower in the middle order.
With Josh Hazlewood leading the pace attack, Australia’s bowling lineup looks threatening. Hazlewood’s control and consistency have made him a standout performer in the format, and with Adam Zampa’s spin in the mix, the home side has every reason to be confident. Playing at home, they will look to set the tone early and take advantage of familiar conditions.
India:
The Men in Blue arrive in Canberra fresh from their Asia Cup T20 triumph, where they defeated Pakistan in the final. The team’s confidence is sky-high, and their squad has retained most of the successful players from that campaign. Suryakumar Yadav will lead the side, supported by the young and in-form opener Abhishek Sharma, who has quickly risen to become one of India’s most reliable T20 batters.
India’s bowling attack is well-balanced with Jasprit Bumrah spearheading the pace department, while Arshdeep Singh provides a reliable left-arm option. Varun Chakravarthy’s mystery spin could prove vital on a pitch that offers some grip, and Axar Patel’s all-round ability adds depth. The only new face, Nitish Kumar Reddy, could make his T20I debut, offering an additional pace-bowling option in the middle overs.
Head-to-Head Record in T20Is
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Total Matches Played: 32
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Australia Wins: 11
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India Wins: 20
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Tied / No Result: 1
Since their first-ever meeting in 2007, India have maintained a strong edge over Australia in T20Is, including a series win on Australian soil during their 2020 tour. However, with home advantage, the Aussies will be eager to close the gap.
Probable Playing XIs
Australia:
Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Matt Short, Josh Inglis (wk), Josh Philippe, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Adam Zampa, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Xavier Bartlett
India:
Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy
Pitch Report — Manuka Oval, Canberra
Manuka Oval is one of the most scenic and balanced T20 venues in Australia. The surface usually offers something for everyone — pacers can extract early movement with the new ball, while batters can trust the bounce once they settle in. Scores above 180 are considered competitive, though chasing teams have had an edge, winning around 40 percent of games here. The short square boundaries can turn the match into a high-scoring affair, especially under lights.
Key Players to Watch
Abhishek Sharma (India):
The young opener from Punjab has been in sensational form, winning the Player of the Match award in the Asia Cup final. With two centuries in just 23 innings, he has become the backbone of India’s T20 batting unit. As the world’s No. 1 T20I batter, Abhishek will be under the spotlight once again.
Josh Hazlewood (Australia):
The seasoned pacer continues to be one of Australia’s most consistent performers in white-ball cricket. With an economy rate of just 7.54 and his trademark accuracy, Hazlewood will look to test India’s top order early with swing and bounce.
Probable Scenarios and Match Prediction
Both teams possess powerful batting lineups and quality bowling attacks, making the contest evenly matched. Canberra’s conditions might favor the chasing side, with dew likely to play a role in the evening. Early breakthroughs will be crucial for both captains, but controlling the middle overs could decide the game.
Prediction: The team batting second is expected to win. With India’s strong chasing record and depth in batting, they start slightly ahead — but Australia’s home advantage ensures the contest will go down to the wire.
