Last Updated on 5 months ago by Charbel Coorey

The spotlight is on the Melbourne weather ahead of the second T20I between Australia and India. A crowd of 90,000 is expected at the MCG, and if the weather allows, we could be in for a cracking evening of T20 cricket.

India sent a reminder of their T20 prowess in the action that was possible in Canberra on Wednesday. Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav took their time to get going, but once they found their rhythm, one wondered how the Australians would keep them quiet. Eventually, the rain intervened.

For Australia, they need to find ways to keep this strong Indian batting lineup as quiet as possible. Forcing them to hit to the very long square boundaries will be a key tactic. Also, how quickly Australia’s top order can score will also prove vital to the result.

AUS vs IND 2nd T20 2025 Possible Playing XIs

Both teams could field unchanged XIs given the limited action in the first T20I. This will be Josh Hazlewood’s final match of this series as he will leave the squad to prepare for the Ashes.

India could consider Arshdeep Singh. The left-arm pace bowler has dismissed Travis Head twice in 34 balls (51 runs) and Mitch Marsh thrice in 22 balls (39 runs) in T20s.

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

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

Melbourne Cricket Ground MCG Pitch Report and Weather

This will be the first T20I at the MCG since the 2022 T20 World Cup Final. In the 14 men’s BBL matches since, the average first innings score is 152.07 at a run rate of 7.82. Chasing teams won eight of these matches.

Fast bowlers have taken 94 wickets in this period at an average of 24.97 and economy of 8.08. Spinners have fared better, taking 55 wickets at a better average (24) and economy (6.88).

With the weather around, expect the captain who wins the toss to field in this second T20I. Rain is forecast during the day in Melbourne, but hopefully conditions should be fine in the evening.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for AUS vs IND 2nd T20: Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Top wicket-keeper picks:

• Josh Inglis is a good pick in Dream11 given he will bat at three. In all T20s batting at three this year, Inglis has scored 388 runs (average 35.3, strike rate 192.1).

Key batter picks:

• Abhishek Sharma missed out in the first T20I, but his fearless attitude is always a threat to opponents. In 26 T20s in 2025, the left-hander has hammered 1,051 runs at an average of 40.4 and strike rate of 200.2
• Again, Australia won’t field a left-arm seamer. Abhishek has been dismissed six times in 74 balls against left-arm pace in T20s this year. According to SPODA AI data, Abhishek has a 47.83% chance of crossing 30, which is the highest probability of any player.
• Mitchell Marsh smashed scores of 85 (43) and 103* (52) in the recent series against New Zealand. In 2025, Marsh has 994 runs at an average of 43.2 and strike rate of 163.8 in all T20s.
• Shubman Gill has had an indifferent year in T20Is, but looked to be finding form in Canberra. He has scored 164 runs at an average of 27.33 and strike rate of 157.69 in T20Is in 2025. Is this the day he makes another 30+ score at least? SPODA AI data gives a 32.14% probability.
• Suryakumar Yadav, who has had a poor year in T20Is to date, found some form in the first T20I. SKY enjoys batting in Australia, with 278 runs at an average of 69.50 and strike rate of 185.33.

Top all-rounder picks:

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

Key bowler picks:

• Jasprit Bumrah against Australia’s lineup promises to make for great viewing. He has the most wickets in AUS-IND T20Is (17) at an average of 23.76 and strike rate of 17.82.
• Josh Hazlewood is vital for Australia, especially against Abhishek. He has overall figures of 1/23 off 22 balls in T20s against Shubman Gill. However, he will be looking to improve on his T20I record vs India: 7 inns, 4 wickets, avg. 53.50, econ. 8.91.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Marcus Stoinis has the second-most T20 runs at the MCG (1,239). He averages 33.49 with a strike rate of 135.26. Also, Stoinis will look to bowl slower deliveries into the surface and force batsmen to hit square, which could bring catching opportunities.
• Sanju Samson is always a threat, 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.
• Australia’s all-out approach means there can be an opportunity for Mitch Owen. He played beautifully in the second ODI against India and is striking at 162 in T20Is this year.
• Tilak Varma scored the second-most runs for India in the 2025 Asia Cup: 6 inns, 213 runs, avg. 71.00, SR 131.48.

Other Stats and Important Matchups

• Head-to-head in T20Is: Matches 33, Australia 11, India 20, N/R 2.
• Australia have not won a home T20I series against India since 2008.
• Abhishek Sharma has been dismissed by a slower delivery in the powerplay in the past two T20Is. This is a ploy Australia could look to implement again.
• Marcus Stoinis has a good matchup against Sanju Samson in T20s: 21 balls, 27 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: 25 balls, 42 runs, one wicket.
• Axar has an excellent record against Marcus Stoinis in all T20s: 40 balls, 23 runs, four wickets.

AUS vs IND 2nd 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 2nd T20 2025 Match Prediction: Who will win?

The chasing team is likelier to win. However, India have the strength to win batting first. According to SPODA AI, India have a 65% chance of winning if they score 180 batting first.

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.