Last Updated on 6 months ago by Charbel Coorey

A T20I bilateral series can often be to test a few new combinations. However, this series has the makings of a cracker. Australia and India have been terrific in this format in recent times, and both teams will be looking to nail their preparation for next year’s World Cup.

Mitch Marsh’s team have won 16 of 18 T20Is since India knocked them out of the 2024 T20 World Cup. This includes series sweeps over West Indies (5-0), Pakistan (3-0), Scotland (3-0) and New Zealand (2-0). Fast scoring in the powerplay has been central to their style, with a batting strike rate of 169.97 compared to 136.52 among all full-member nations.

However, this will be a big test of where Australia are at. India are the premier team in T20I cricket, winning an incredible 35 of 38 matches since the start of 2024. This includes unbeaten T20 World Cup and Asia Cup campaigns. Abhishek Sharma is the number one ranked T20I batsman, and he will be looking to trump the hosts in the powerplay.

AUS vs IND 1st T20 2025 Possible Playing XIs

There are quite a few moving parts in Australia’s squad. Ben Dwarshuis, Glenn Maxwell, and Mahli Beardman will all be available later in the series. Adam Zampa is out due to paternity leave. Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott are available for first two and three matches respectively.

Also, according to ESPNcricinfo, Matt Short had surgery on the cut he picked up on his finger during the ODI series. He could miss this game, which opens the door for Josh Philippe to play.

Australia: 1. Travis Head, 2. Mitchell Marsh (c), 3. Josh Inglis (wk), 4. Tim David, 5. Josh Philippe, 6. Marcus Stoinis, 7. Mitch Owen, 8. Sean Abbott, 9. Nathan Ellis, 10. Matt Kuhnemann, 11. Josh Hazlewood

Jasprit Bumrah was rested for the ODIs. He should line up in Canberra for the series opener. It is likely the visitors will go with one of Kuldeep Yadav or Varun Chakravarthy in these conditions.

India: 1. Abhishek Sharma, 2. Shubman Gill, 3. Suryakumar Yadav (c), 4. Tilak Varma, 5. Sanju Samson (wk), 6. Rinku Singh, 7. Axar Patel, 8. Shivam Dube/Harshit Rana, 9. Kuldeep Yadav/Varun Chakravarthy, 10. Arshdeep Singh, 11. Jasprit Bumrah

Manuka Oval Canberra Pitch Report and Weather

The average first innings score is 155.8 at a run rate of 7.82 in the last 10 men’s T20s on this ground. Batting conditions have improved in the most recent matches, with three consecutive 180+ scores including the Australia-England women’s T20I in January.

Interestingly, spinners have fared quite well, boasting a lower average (21.17) and economy rate (7.33) compared to fast bowlers (23.46 and 8.05) in this period. For more information, check out our dedicated article.

However, a cold night is forecast in Canberra, with temperatures expected to drop below 10 degrees. It should be an uninterrupted match with no rain forecast in the evening.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for AUS vs IND 1st T20: Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Top wicket-keeper picks:

• Josh Inglis is a good pick (fitness pending) given he will likely bat at three. In all T20s batting at three this year, Inglis has smashed 388 runs at an average of 35.3 and strike rate of 192.1.

Key batter picks:

• Abhishek Sharma is having a year to remember. In 25 T20s in 2025, the left-hander has hammered 1,032 runs at an average of 41.3 and incredible strike rate of 202.
• Left-arm seam can worry Abhishek (six dismissals in 74 balls this year), but Australia have no left-armer available for this match. The Hazlewood matchup will be key.
• Mitchell Marsh is in outstanding form. He smashed scores of 85 (43) and 103* (52) in the recent series against New Zealand. In all T20s this year, Marsh has smashed 994 runs at an average of 43.2 and strike rate of 163.8.
• Speaking of outstanding form, there’s Tim David. He has smashed 946 runs in all T20s this year at an average of 41.1 and strike rate of 173.9. When chasing, the average and strike rate increases to 45.5 and 182.2 respectively.
• Shubman Gill has had an indifferent year in T20Is, scoring just 127 runs at an average of 21.2 and strike rate of 151.2. However, he has the class to bounce back.

Top all-rounder picks:

• Axar Patel can be a good pick in Dream11. The all-rounder has an excellent T20 record against Australia, with 15 wickets in nine matches at an average of 13.86 and strike rate of 13.20.

Key bowler picks:

• Jasprit Bumrah against Australia’s all-out attack promises to make for great viewing. Bumrah has the most wickets in AUS-IND T20Is (17) at an average of 23.76 and strike rate of 17.82.
• Arshdeep Singh has enjoyed success against both Australian openers. He has dismissed Travis Head twice in 34 balls (51 runs) and Mitch Marsh thrice in 22 balls (39 runs).
• Josh Hazlewood is vital for Australia. He has overall figures of 1/17 off 18 balls in T20s against Shubman Gill. However, he will be looking to improve on his T20I record vs India: 6 inns, 4 wickets, avg. 47.50, econ. 9.04.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Sanju Samson is always a threat to opponents, but he was finding his feet in the middle order during the Asia Cup. He is worth a try in your Dream11 teams if India bat first.
• Suryakumar Yadav has been in poor form in T20Is (100 runs, avg. 11.1, SR 105.3). However, he can fire as he enjoys batting in T20Is in Australia: 6 inns, 239 runs, avg. 59.8, SR 189.7, 3 fifties.
• Australia’s all-out approach means there can be an opportunity for Mitch Owen to wind up. He played beautifully in the second ODI against India and is striking at 162 in T20Is this year.
• Tilak Varma hit the second-most runs for India in the recent Asia Cup: 6 inns, 213 runs, avg. 71.00, SR 131.48.

Other Stats and Important Matchups

• Head-to-head in T20Is: Matches 32, Australia 11, India 20, N/R 1.
• Australia have not won a home T20I series against India since 2008.
• Suryakumar Yadav has gone 14 T20Is without a fifty.
• Arshdeep Singh to Mitch Marsh in the 2025 IPL: Six balls, no runs, two wickets.
• Jasprit Bumrah vs. Travis Head in all T20s: 37 balls, 47 runs, one wicket.
• Josh Hazlewood vs. Abhishek Sharma in all T20s: 17 balls, 31 runs, one wicket.
• Axar has an excellent record against Marcus Stoinis in all T20s: 40 balls, 23 runs, four wickets.

AUS vs IND 1st T20 2025 Dream11 Prediction

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams. 

Option 1:

Option 2:

AUS vs IND 1st T20 2025 Match Prediction: Who will win?

India start as favourites. They can win this game whether they bat first or second. However, in cool conditions on a fresh pitch, the chasing team is likelier to come out on top.

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes for Dream11 free contests in line with the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. The stats and writer’s views are in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

All statistics and matchups in this article have been verified by ESPNcricinfo and Cricmetric