Written By Divya
Published By: Divya | Published: Oct 28, 2025, 09:09 PM (IST)
After wrapping up the ODI, all eyes now shift to the shorter format as India take on Australia in the first T20I of the five-match series. The game will be played at Canberra’s Manuka Oval on Wednesday, with Suryakumar Yadav leading the side. India will want to start the series on a positive note after a mixed run in the ODIs, while the Aussies will look to carry forward their momentum before heading home. Also Read: India vs Australia World Cup 2023 Final: How to watch
This T20I series is an important one for both teams, especially with the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 approaching. For India, it’s a chance to try new combinations, test bench strength, and fine-tune balance ahead of the big tournament. The team comes in with strong recent form in the shortest format, having lifted both the T20 World Cup 2024 and Asia Cup 2025 titles.
The bigger grounds and extra bounce can be tricky, and with Hardik Pandya out due to injury, India’s middle order will have to step up. It’ll also be interesting to see how Suryakumar’s leadership shapes the side through this phase.
Australia come into the series high on confidence after their recent success against New Zealand. However, they’ll be without Pat Cummins and the retired Mitchell Starc. In their absence, Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa will shoulder much of the bowling responsibility, especially against India’s explosive batting lineup.
The first T20I takes place on Wednesday, October 29, at Manuka Oval, Canberra.
The match starts at 1:45 PM IST, and the toss will be held at 1:15 PM IST.
You can watch the match live on the Star Sports Network, and catch the live streaming on the Disney+ Hotstar app and website.
The rest of the series will be played across Melbourne, Hobart, Gold Coast, and Brisbane — giving both teams enough time to test their depth before the next big tournament. With plenty of fresh faces and new combinations on display, this India vs Australia T20 series promises to be an exciting one.