Match: 2nd T20I, India tour of Australia 2025
Date: Friday, October 31, 2025
Time: 7:15 PM local time (1:45 PM IST)
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Series: 5-match T20I series (0-0 after first match washout)
What Happened in the First T20I?
The opening match in Canberra became a victim of rain. India looked strong while batting, with openers Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav setting up a big total before the weather stopped play after just 9.4 overs. Now both teams head to Melbourne eager to get the series started properly.
Expected Playing XIs
Australia (Likely XI – Source: ESPNcricinfo, The Week)
- Travis Head
- Mitchell Marsh (captain)
- Josh Inglis (wicketkeeper)
- Tim David
- Mitchell Owen
- Marcus Stoinis
- Josh Philippe
- Xavier Bartlett
- Nathan Ellis
- Matthew Kuhnemann
- Josh Hazlewood
Note: Australia are likely to field an unchanged team from the washed-out first match.
India (Likely XI – Source: ESPNcricinfo, The Week)
- Abhishek Sharma
- Shubman Gill (vice-captain)
- Tilak Varma
- Suryakumar Yadav (captain)
- Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper)
- Shivam Dube
- Axar Patel
- Harshit Rana
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Varun Chakravarthy
- Jasprit Bumrah
Note: Nitish Kumar Reddy remains unavailable due to back stiffness. India will likely go unchanged from the first match.
Venue & Pitch Report
The Melbourne Cricket Ground is famous for its large square boundaries and fast, bouncy pitch. The pitch usually helps bowlers, especially fast bowlers who bowl the right length. Teams batting first have averaged around 141 runs in T20Is at this venue.
However, recent BBL matches at the MCG have seen high scores, with totals often going past 180. Fast bowler Nathan Ellis mentioned that big scores are common at this ground nowadays.
Key Stats:
- Average first innings score: 141 runs
- Teams chasing have won 11 of 19 T20Is here
- Big boundaries test batters’ power
- Pacers get good bounce and carry
Weather Forecast
Melbourne weather can be tricky, even in spring. There is a 45% chance of rain on match day, with temperatures around 16°C and humidity at 83%. Light rain is possible during match hours, but another complete washout seems unlikely. However, some interruptions are possible.
(Source: Sportskeeda, The Week)
Players to Watch
| Category | Australia | India |
|---|---|---|
| Batters | Travis Head – Explosive opener who can take the game away early | Shubman Gill – Looked in great touch before rain stopped play in Canberra |
| Mitchell Marsh – Captain needs to lead from the front with the bat | Suryakumar Yadav – Captain and one of the world’s best T20 batters | |
| Bowlers | Josh Hazlewood – This is his last game before Ashes preparation | Varun Chakravarthy – World’s No. 1 T20I spinner making his debut against Australia |
| Nathan Ellis – Key death bowler for Australia | Jasprit Bumrah – Needs 4 wickets to reach 100 T20I wickets |
Head-to-Head Record
- Total T20Is: 33 matches
- India wins: 20
- Australia wins: 11
- No results: 2
India have dominated this rivalry and will look to extend their lead in Melbourne.
What to Expect
This match promises to be a thrilling contest between two top T20 teams. India showed their aggressive intent in Canberra, with openers going hard from ball one. Australia will want to bounce back after their bowlers struggled in the brief play.
The MCG’s big boundaries could slow down the scoring, making it harder for batters to clear the ropes. Both teams have strong fast bowling attacks, and the pitch should help them.
With a massive crowd expected (possibly 90,000 fans), the atmosphere will be electric. India have great support in Melbourne, making it feel like a home game for them.
Prediction: Australia might have a slight edge at home, especially with their strong pace attack suited to MCG conditions. However, India’s batting firepower and superior head-to-head record make them favorites. Expect a close, high-quality contest if rain stays away.
Where to Watch
- India: Star Sports Network (TV), JioHotstar (streaming)
- Australia: Kayo Sports, Foxtel