Produced by: Tarun Mishar Designed by: Manoj Kumar
The India vs Australia T20I series starts today with the opening match scheduled at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. The match will begin at 7:00 PM IST.
In the lead-up to the series, India secured a historic gold medal in cricket at the Asian Games 2023 held in China, marking a significant achievement. Australia, on the other hand, enters the series with a confident stance, having defeated South Africa 3-0 in their last T20I assignment in August-September 2023 and recently winning the World Cup final against India.
With several senior players rested post the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian squad features a young lineup. On the other hand, Australia has decided not make big changes in the squad for this series. Here are some of the key players to look forward for in the 1st T20 International.
Heading the list, Suryakumar Yadav, appointed skipper in the absence of Hardik Pandya, stands as the premier player. Currently holding the esteemed title of the world's No.1 T20 batsman, Yadav boasts an impressive strike rate of 172.7. In the IPL 2023 season, he showcased his batting prowess by accumulating 605 runs in 16 innings, maintaining an average of 43.21, which includes a century and five half-centuries.
Ishan Kishan, a versatile left-handed batter, brings flexibility to the team, having been used in the middle order during the Asia Cup. Known for his top-order performances in T20s, especially in the IPL for Mumbai Indians, Kishan's adaptability adds depth to India's batting lineup.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, coming off a successful Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2023 campaign, accumulated 244 runs in five innings, including a century and half-century. Gaikwad could add firepower to the Indian batting order, providing an explosive batting style that could give India a strong start
Youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal, who recently showcased his skills in the Asian Games, where India won a Gold medal in Cricket, will take on the role of the opening batsman for India in this series. Jaiswal's impressive T20 career start includes 232 runs in seven innings, featuring a century and a half-century.
Ravi Bishnoi, known for his spin prowess, is a key player to watch in the Indian lineup. His ability to control the game with spin variations adds depth to India's bowling arsenal on the turning pitch of Visakhapatnam.
Australia's captain, Matthew Wade, makes a comeback to the field after over a year. Known for his aggressive starts, Wade has an impressive T20I record, amassing 1,018 runs at an average of 24.82 and a strike rate of 132.03.
Steven Smith might open the batting alongside captain Matthew Wade, offering a formidable opening partnership. Despite a challenging World Cup, Smith's unique batting style can provide a strong foundation for the Australian batting lineup.
Josh Inglis, who serves as a wicketkeeper and batsman, has been pivotal for Australia in some of their recent matches. Inglis' prudent batting approach positions him as a valuable asset for Australia, especially in challenging situations, reminiscent of his crucial performance in the Semi-final against South Africa in the ODI Cricket World Cup. With 12 T20I matches under his belt, Inglis has amassed 265 runs, maintaining an average of 27. In the most recent T20I encounter between Australia and South Africa in September 2023, Inglis played a decisive role, contributing 42 runs off 22 balls.