The Australia vs India 1st T20I began with Mitchell Marsh winning the toss and opting to bowl first in Canberra. Australia aim to extend their dominant T20 form after recent series wins over West Indies, South Africa, and New Zealand. Meanwhile, India’s focus remains on testing their young core ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup. The excitement for the Australia vs India 1st T20I is palpable as fans eagerly anticipate the strategies that both teams will employ.
Australia Bowl First, Abbott Misses Out
Australia have chosen to field first once again under Marsh, continuing a familiar trend. In fact, the captain has now bowled first in every one of the 18 T20Is where he has won the toss. Sean Abbott misses out from the pace attack, allowing Xavier Bartlett and Nathan Ellis to partner Josh Hazlewood, who is available only for the first two matches before preparing for the Ashes.
Matt Kuhnemann replaces Adam Zampa, who is unavailable due to personal reasons. Cameron Green remains with the Sheffield Shield squad, while Glenn Maxwell, recovering from a wrist injury, is set to return in game three. Josh Philippe earns his first T20I appearance since 2023, and Matt Short sits out the opening matches following finger surgery. The Australia vs India 1st T20I also marks a new beginning for several returning players.
India vs Australia 1st T20I begins today! Who will grab the early lead in the series — Men in Blue or the Aussies? 🇮🇳🔥🇦🇺
— wicketbuzz (@wicketbuzz) October 28, 2025
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India Stick With Three Spinners in Canberra
Suryakumar Yadav expressed comfort in batting first, confident in his team’s ability to post a strong total. India have retained their spin trio — Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakravarthy — used in the Asia Cup final. Jasprit Bumrah leads the pace attack, supported by Harshit Rana. As the Australia vs India 1st T20I unfolds, all eyes are on India’s strategic play involving their spinners.
However, allrounder Nitish Reddy remains sidelined for the first three T20Is due to neck spasms, delaying his recovery from a quadriceps injury sustained during the Adelaide ODI.
India officially announce their starting XI for the 1st T20I vs Australia! 🇮🇳🔥
— wicketbuzz (@wicketbuzz) October 29, 2025
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Teams Balance Experience and Opportunity
Both sides have balanced experience with opportunity in the Australia vs India T20 series. Australia’s lineup blends power-hitters like Travis Head and Tim David with versatile all-rounders Marcus Stoinis and Mitch Owen. India, meanwhile, rely on their young batting order led by Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Tilak Varma. The Australia vs India 1st T20I promises a thrilling contest between Australia’s disciplined bowling attack and India’s explosive batting lineup.
The first clash promises a thrilling contest between Australia’s disciplined bowling attack and India’s explosive batting lineup.
