AUS vs IND: Live Streaming, Match Preview, Timings, Pitch Report and more for 1st T20I

The caravan stays in Canberra, though the modus operandi would change as India and Australia will gear up for the shorter format – something we have seen aplenty recently – of the game. Before the third and last ODI at Manuka Oval, India was treading in an undesirable territory of a streak of ODI losses. Not often do we associate streaks of losses with India but it has been that kind of a year for the men in blue.

Having said that, a victory in the last ODI evaded the scare of consecutive series whitewashes as India entered this series after a 3-0 loss against New Zealand earlier this year. Has this ever happened? Yes, though, many moons ago. Last India lost consecutive bilateral series was in their first two bilateral series in the 50-over format! (Against England 1974 and New Zealand 1976).

Through the win on Wednesday, India not only managed to skip equalling the unwanted record but simultaneously halted Australia’s invincibility at Canberra, where the two will play the first of the three T20Is. Unlike the 50-over format, where India has had a forgettable 2020, the record in 20-over cricket is quite contrasting. Virat Kohli and Co completed a 5-0 clean sweep over Kane Williamson’s men at the start of the year and slammed two dramatic Super Over victories in succession in doing so.

Delving further back, India has not lost a 20-over international encounter since 8th December 2019 and is entering the current three-match series with an enviable streak of 9 matches. If indeed India manages to repeat a similar performance against Australia, they will equal the best unbeaten streak in T20I – 12 matches by Australia and Afghanistan.

With the advent of the World Test Championship and the ICC World ODI Super League, sufficient contextualization of the two formats has been ensured. Though, in the T20Is, the same could not be said. Despite that, the upcoming series is crucial in the sense that not too many games are left before next year’s ICC T20 World Cup, which if PCB’s Chief Executive Wasim Khan is to be believed, will be shifted out of India.

Whether that happens or not, both the teams would look at this series as an opportunity to identify their best eleven and tick those boxes that they would want to before going into the multi-country tournament next year.

Pitch and conditions 

The strip at Canberra was not a true batting paradise, though there was nothing treacherous in it for the batsmen to counter. True to its reputation as a venue, the last ODI recorded another 300-plus total, and that given, the expectations of a high-scoring encounter tomorrow are only genuine.

Playing Combinations for AUS vs IND

Australia

Owing to his groin injury, David Warner will not feature in the series. Named as his replacement, D’Arcy Short has an enormous opportunity at his door. Aaron Finch, Steve Smith, and Glenn Maxwell, all had a quiet IPL but have shone brightly in the ODI series.

With Moises Henriques, whose place is subjected to the availability of Marcus Stoinis, and Alex Carey in their ranks, the batting order of Australia looks solid despite the absence of Warner. In Pat Cummins’ absence, Cameron Green is expected to make his debut, whereas if Mitchell Starc, who is nursing an injury, is unavailable, Sean Abbott will pick himself alongside Josh Hazlewood.

Probable XI: Aaron Finch (C), D’Arcy Short, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey (WK), Moises Henriques/Marcus Stoinis, Cameron Green, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Stac/Sean Abbott, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa

India

In Rohit Sharma’s absence, KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan will be playing their role at the top, whereas Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and Manish Pandey will follow them in the middle-order. Both Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja are coming after a spectacular ODI series, and they will be the ideal choice as the finishers.

Deepak Chahar will complete India’s pace attack alongside Mohammed Shami and Jaspit Bumrah, whereas Yuzvendra Chahal will be the lone spinner.

Probable XI: KL Rahul (WK), Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (C), Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah

AUS vs IND Head to Head

Overall

Played – 20 | Australia Won – 8 | India Won – 11 | Tie/NR – 1

In Australia

Played – 9 | Australia Won – 3 | India Won – 5 | NR – 1

Stat Attack

India and Australia have never met in a T20I encounter at Canberra before.

Australia’s T20I win percentage at home against all other teams is 70.6%, however, against India, they have won only 33.3% matches.

If he plays, it will be Ravindra Jadeja’s 50th appearance in a T20 International.

AUS vs IND Broadcast Details

Match timings – 01:40 PM (IST), 07:10 PM (Local)

TV – Sony TEN 1, Sony TEN 1 HD, Sony TEN 3, Sony TEN 3 HD

Live Streaming – Sony LIV