Match: 1st T20 International
Series: India Tour of Australia 2025/26
Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Time: 1:45 PM IST (7:15 PM Local)
Venue: Manuka Oval, Canberra
Toss: 1:15 PM IST
After losing the ODI series 2-1, India faces Australia in the first T20 match at Manuka Oval on Wednesday. This five-match series is important for both teams as they prepare for the T20 World Cup 2026.
India have won seven of the last eight T20 internationals between the sides, giving them confidence despite the recent ODI setback. The teams last met in the 2024 T20 World Cup where India beat Australia in St Lucia by 24 runs.
Pitch Report & Weather Forecast
Manuka Oval Conditions
The Manuka Oval has hosted 22 T20I matches, where teams batting first have won 10 times and teams chasing have won 9 times. The average T20I score at the Manuka Oval is 144.
The only India-Australia game at this venue was in 2020 when India made 161 and won by 11 runs. The pitch rewards bowlers early but batters can score freely once settled.
Weather Conditions
Match-day temperatures are expected to range between 9°C and 15°C. There is a moderate chance of rain with 25 percent probability of precipitation and 89 percent cloud cover.
The cool conditions and possible rain could make batting tricky, especially early in the innings.
Expected Playing XIs
Note: Official playing XIs have not been confirmed. These are likely lineups based on expert predictions from ESPNcricinfo, Sportskeeda, and Cricket Times (sources: documents 3, 4, 8, 9, 13, 14).
India (Likely XI)
- Shubman Gill
- Abhishek Sharma
- Tilak Varma
- Suryakumar Yadav (c)
- Sanju Samson (wk)
- Shivam Dube
- Axar Patel
- Harshit Rana / Kuldeep Yadav
- Varun Chakravarthy
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Arshdeep Singh
With Hardik Pandya injured, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel are expected to provide all-round depth. There will be a toss up between Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav for a spot as a spinner.
Australia (Likely XI)
- Travis Head
- Josh Philippe / Matthew Short
- Mitchell Marsh (c)
- Tim David
- Josh Inglis (wk)
- Marcus Stoinis
- Mitchell Owen
- Sean Abbott
- Nathan Ellis
- Matthew Kuhnemann
- Josh Hazlewood
Josh Hazlewood is available for games 1-2, while Glenn Maxwell will join the squad for games 3-5.
Players to Watch
Batters
| Player | Team | Form & Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Abhishek Sharma | India | Named ICC Player of the Month for September 2025, scored 314 runs in Asia Cup at strike rate above 200 |
| Travis Head | Australia | Amassed 197 runs including a century at average of 197.00 and strike rate of 191.26 |
| Tilak Varma | India | Scored 69 off 53 balls in Asia Cup final against Pakistan, averaged over 45 |
| Tim David | Australia | Explosive middle-order finisher, dangerous in death overs |
Bowlers
| Player | Team | Form & Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Jasprit Bumrah | India | Leads wickets tally in head-to-head with 17 scalps in 14 games |
| Kuldeep Yadav | India | Topped Asia Cup wicket charts with 17 wickets at average of 9.29 |
| Nathan Ellis | Australia | Has seven wickets from five games against India |
| Varun Chakravarthy | India | Mystery spinner, effective in powerplay and middle overs |
What to Expect
India walk into the contest on the back of their successful Asia Cup T20 2025 campaign, where they remained unbeaten in seven matches. They will look to dominate Australia in the shortest format.
Since January 2024, Australia have won 26 of their 32 T20Is, showing excellent form at home. Both teams are among the best T20 sides in the world right now.
The key battle will be between India’s explosive batting lineup and Australia’s pace attack. The surface at Canberra is expected to be full of pace and bounce, with faster bowlers expected to call the shots.
Prediction
India start as slight favorites due to their recent T20I form and head-to-head record. However, Australia’s home advantage and momentum from the ODI series make this an evenly matched contest. Expect a score around 160-170 batting first, with the team winning the toss likely to bowl first given the weather conditions.