India vs Australia 2019, 1st T20I: Match details, key players and predicted XI

After beating the Kangaroos in their own den, India are all set to host Australia for two T20Is and 5 ODIs from 24th February to 13th March. The opening match of this short tour - a T20I - will be played in Visakhapatnam.

Having lost both the Test and ODI series at home, Australia will be on a mission of redemption when they arrive in India. Both the teams would be hoping to get their playing combinations right ahead of the ICC World Cup 2019.

India must be riding high on confidence after their dominating performance in the series against Australia and New Zealand. The hosts unarguably have the edge over the Kangaroos in the upcoming series.

Virat Kohli and Co would be looking to demonstrate another world-class performance in front of the home crowd. The skipper Kohli as well as Jasprit Bumrah return to the squad, much to the delight of the home fans.

Team India have been on an unbeaten run in their last seven home matches, and will look to defend that record against the Australian outfit.

On the other hand, Australia are struggling to find their feet in overseas conditions. The absence of Steve Smith and David Warner has unfortunately added to their batting miseries.

The visitors need to play fearless cricket on this tour like India did when they hosted them at the beginning of the year. They have struggled with the bat against quality bowling attacks even in home conditions, so a lot of work needs to be done in that area.

After being thrashed at home, the Kangaroos would be hoping to land a counterpunch when they take on the Blue Brigade. Australia will be itching to avenge their humiliating series defeat earlier this year, but it remains to be seen whether they have the resources to do so.

Match details

Date: Sunday, 24 February 2019

Time: 07:00 PM IST

Venue: Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam

Live Telecast: Star Network

Online Streaming: Hotstar (Website, App)

Ground Stats

Avg 1st innings score: 82

Avg 2nd innings score: 84

Highest Total: 84/1 (13.5 Ov) by IND vs SL

Lowest Total: 82/10 (18 Ov) by SL vs IND

Highest Chased: 84/1 (13.5 Ov) by IND vs SL

Head-to-head (last five T20Is)

Australia – 2

India – 1

No Result – 2

Recent form

India – L W L W L

Australia – L W L L L

Team news

For India, either Dinesh Karthik or KL Rahul will make it in the playing XI.

As far as Australia are concerned, Shaun Marsh and Ashton Turner will battle it out for a spot in the middle order.

Squads

Australia T20I squad: Aaron Finch(c), Alex Carey, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, D'Arcy Short, Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Peter Handscomb, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Lyon, Ashton Turner and Adam Zampa.

India T20I squad: Virat (c), Rohit Sharma (VC), KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni (WK), Krunal Pandya, Vijay Shankar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, Sidharth Kaul and Mayank Markande.

Key Players

Australia

- Aaron Finch

- Marcus Stoinis

- Pat Cummins

India

- Rohit Sharma

- Virat Kohli

- Krunal Pandya

Probable playing XI

Australia

Alex Carey, Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb, D’Arcy Short, Shaun Marsh (alternatively, Ashton Turner), Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson

India

MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik (alternatively, KL Rahul), Vijay Shankar, Krunal Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Siddarth Kaul (alternatively, Umesh Yadav)