India v Australia, 1st T20I preview, likely XIs: India, Australia set to rinse and repeat

Having drawn their three-match series Down Under 1-1, India and Australia will have another pop at T20I superiority when they clash in the first of a two-match series in Visakhapatnam on Sunday, 24 February.

The context of a T20I series in a World Cup year can be difficult hard to gauge, but both squads are filled with players expected to be on the flight to England and Wales, and each side will want to ensure they fine-tune plans ahead of the premier event.

That can make for an interesting two-match series.

Head to head

India and Australia have clashed 18 times overall, and India come out as heavy favourites on past record: they have won 11 of the 18 matches. India are ranked No. 2 in the ICC T20I rankings, while Australia are No. 5.

Australia have it even worse in India. There have been 5 matches played between the two sides since 2007 – India have won 4 of them. Their only loss came in Guwahati in October 2017.

In fact, in the last 10 years, Australia haven’t had much luck in India. Across formats, they have won just nine of 33 matches in India. Four of those wins came in the ODIs in 2009. India, these days, are a completely different side.

Venue details

The only time Australia have played at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam was in 2010. It was an ODI, and they lost by 5 wickets after a young Virat Kohli hammered a 121-ball 118. There were half-centuries from Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina as well, and India chased down Australia’s 290-run target with seven balls to spare.

In fact, India has a terrific record at the ACA-VDCA stadium. They have played 10 matches at the venue, and have won 8 of them. One match was washed out, and their only loss came against the West Indies in an ODI in 2013.

There has just been one completed T20I at the venue, but of the 8 ODIs that have been played at this venue, the team chasing has won 5 times. The toss is crucial – the team that called right at the toss has gone on to win the match 7 times.

It’s typically hot in Visakhapatnam this time of years – it’s hot and sunny during the day, and clear skies are forecast for the night.

Players to watch

Jasprit Bumrah (India): After a nice little break, India’s pace ace returns to the side. He has become force in all international formats now, but Bumrah made his name in T20Is, with his pace and variations. Australia will have to see him off if they are to stand a chance of winning this match.

Marcus Stoinis (Australia): The all-rounder was picked out by India captain Virat Kohli as someone the team has to be careful of. Kohli’s observations come after being made aware of Stoinis’ work during the recently-concluded BBL – 533 runs at 53.30 from 13 outings for Melbourne Stars, along with 14 wickets at 16.14.

Likely XIs:

Australia: Aaron Finch (c), D’Arcy Short, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Ashton Turner, Alex Carey (wk), Jhye Richardson, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson

India: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (c), Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni (wk), Rishabh Pant, Vijay Shankar, Krunal Pandya, Umesh Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah.

Prediction:

India will be pushed hard, but will come through to win.