India vs Australia 2019: India's Predicted Playing XI for 1st T20I

All-rounders

Krunal Pandya (L) and Dinesh Karthik

#7 Vijay Shankar

Hardik Pandya’s injury might have come as a blessing in disguise for Vijay Shankar. The Tamil Nadu all-rounder is the only seam bowling all-rounder in the side and will most likely get the nod in the absence of India’s premier white-ball all-rounder.

Shankar was impressive in New Zealand as he showed he can adapt to different situations. He didn’t bowl too much on that tour but in the absence of Pandya, he will be entrusted with the ball a lot more.

#8 Krunal Pandya

The elder Pandya has been a part of India’s T20 plans for the last few months. He’s played every game in the last three series and has done well too.

Krunal Pandya has picked up a couple of man of the match awards for his left-arm spin in the recent past. Moreover, he has shown he can bounce back well after a bad game.

Although he didn’t get a lot of opportunities with the bat - he’s batted in just four innings - he has impressed in a couple of them.