Last Updated on 2 months by Charbel Coorey

IND vs AUS 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report | IND vs AUS 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Mohali Pitch Report

For the first time since the memorable Gabba Test, old foes India and Australia will do battle. This time, context points towards crucial preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup, with both sides looking to iron out some of their most pressing questions ahead of the showpiece tournament.

For India, Virat Kohli’s drought-breaking 71st century was welcome news after another disappointing performance by India in a multi-team tournament. The recent Asia Cup was an opportunity for the Indians to build momentum, but stumbles at key stages, especially in the death overs whilst defending, left Rohit Sharma’s team with plenty to answer ahead of the World Cup. This series serves as key game time to settle on a batting lineup; one that is set up to win all three stages of the innings, as well as a settled bowling combination.

Defending T20 World Cup champions Australia aren’t without their questions, too. The form – or lackthereof – of skipper Aaron Finch prompted him to hang up the boots in ODIs, so whether a different format can be the catalyst of a resurgence in form remains to be seen. Also, David Warner (rested) and Mitchell Marsh (injury) are big shoes to fill, with eyes on how Steve Smith delivers in the number three role in the series. Indeed, if the top order can set a platform, we could be in for fireworks with the Glenn Maxwell-Tim David combination.

IND vs AUS 1st T20 Possible Playing XI

Ravindra Jadeja is out for an extended period after knee surgery, so Axar Patel is set to take on the role of the left-arm spin all-rounder. Both Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel return. Also, Umesh Yadav was called into the squad after Mohammed Shami tested positive for COVID-19. However, Umesh is unlikely to find a spot in the XI.

One key question for India is the wicket-keeper position. Rishabh Pant’s role in the batting lineup is still up in the air in this format, while Dinesh Karthik is a specialist finisher. However, playing Karthik would mean six right-handers in the top six.

India: 1. Rohit Sharma (c), 2. KL Rahul, 3. Virat Kohli, 4. Suryakumar Yadav, 5. Hardik Pandya, 6. Rishabh Pant/Dinesh Karthik (wk), 7. Axar Patel, 8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9. Harshal Patel/Arshdeep Singh, 10. Yuzvendra Chahal, 11. Jasprit Bumrah

David Warner (rested), Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Marsh and Mitchell Starc (injured) are all unavailable. Steve Smith will bat at three, with Tim David set to make his Australia debut. Also, given Stoinis and Marsh are out, Cameron Green is likely to play.

Australia: 1. Aaron Finch (c), 2. Josh Inglis, 3. Steve Smith, 4. Glenn Maxwell, 5. Matthew Wade (wk), 6. Tim David, 7. Cameron Green, 8. Pat Cummins, 9. Adam Zampa, 10. Josh Hazlewood, 11. Sean Abbott/Ashton Agar

IND vs AUS Head-to-Head Stats and Key Players

India:

• It’s a big series for KL Rahul. The right-hander has experience in T20s on this ground, with 448 runs in 11 matches at an average of 49.78 and strike rate of 144.52.
• Virat Kohli is coming off a superb century against Afghanistan. He easily has the most runs in IND-AUS T20Is (718) at an average of 59.83 and strike rate of 146.23. This contains seven half-centuries, including the memorable 82* against Australia at Mohali in 2016.
• How Kohli approaches spin will be interesting to see. In all T20s against Adam Zampa, Virat has hit 98 runs in 72 balls with two dismissals.
• Suryakumar Yadav has the highest strike rate (182.31) of any India player this year (min. 3 inns). He has batted 17 times in T20Is in 2022 for 567 runs at an average of 37.80.
• Hardik Pandya had an under-par Asia Cup after a great start against Pakistan. However, he is still having an excellent year in T20s (818 runs, avg. 37.18, SR 135.43, plus 20 wickets). Expect him to be used as a wicket-taking option in the middle overs with Patel and Bumrah back on deck.
• Axar Patel could be crucial against Glenn Maxwell and Tim David. David has been dismissed four times by slow left-arm orthodox for just 51 runs (SR 115.9) in T20s this year. Maxwell fares worse, dismissed six times for 52 runs at a strike rate of 115.55.
• Jasprit Bumrah has the most wickets in IND-AUS T20Is (15) at an average of 20.13 and strike rate of 16.2. Also, the pacer has taken six wickets in four T20s at Mohali (econ. 7.15, SR 15.67).
• Bumrah has a great record against Maxwell in T20s. The pacer has dismissed the big hitter seven times in 65 balls, conceding just 75 in the process.

Australia:

• Glenn Maxwell was key to Australia’s T20I series win in 2019. Against India in India, Maxwell has smashed 244 runs in five innings at an average of 61.00 and strike rate of 157.41. This includes a century. Can he overcome the Bumrah and Axar threats?
• Steve Smith in T20s at Mohali: 5 inns, 120 runs, avg 40.00, SR 123.71. Whether Smith can dominate in the number three position remains to be seen, as he strikes at just 116.48 in six T20Is against India.
• Tim David has a strike rate of 173.1 in 51 T20 innings this year. Against right-arm pace, this jumps to 205.6. Against leg-spin, he still strikes at a handy 147.7.
• Cameron Green is coming off a good period in ODI cricket. The all-rounder took eight wickets in three matches against Zimbabwe, followed by a match-winning 89* off 92 balls against New Zealand.
• Josh Hazlewood has been outstanding in T20s since the start of 2021. In this period, the seamer has taken 68 wickets in 42 innings at a strike rate of 14.13 and economy of 7.30.
• Adam Zampa vs India in T20Is: 10 inns, 9 wickets, avg. 22.44, econ. 6.12, SR 22.0.

Other Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 23, India 13, Australia 9, N/R 1.
• The last time these two teams met in a T20I series was in Australia in late 2020. India won that series 2-1.
• Dinesh Karthik in T20s at Mohali: 13 inns, 266 runs, avg. 33.25, SR 143.01.
• Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be looking forward to bowling to Aaron Finch. Kumar has dismissed the opener three times in 57 balls in all T20s, whilst conceding just 52 runs in the process.
• Rohit Sharma averages just 8.80 in five T20I innings against Australia in India.
• Australia have won their past three T20Is in India.

Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium Mohali Pitch Report and Weather

There is a 25% chance of precipitation on what is expected to be a cloudy and humid evening in Mohali. On the eve of the match, Aaron Finch said there was a bit of a grass on the pitch. This is likely to prompt the captain who wins the toss to chase as the team batting second has won seven of the past 11 T20s on this ground.

IND vs AUS 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction Today September 20 2022

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:

Fan2Play Prediction

Base Team:

• Wicket-Keepers: Matthew Wade
• Batsmen: Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav
• All-Rounders: Glenn Maxwell, Hardik Pandya
• Bowlers: Josh Hazlewood, Jasprit Bumrah

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

The chasing team is likelier to win this clash. With Australia having key players missing, including Warner and Marsh, India start as favourites.