With a target of the T20 World Cup at the back of their minds, India and Australia will take on each other in the first T20I at Mohali on Tuesday. Only six T20I matches are left for the Rohit Sharma-led team to play with their best possible combination in order to be fully ready for the T20I showpiece.
Australia, on the other hand, will also look to make the most of their chance of playing against a potent team like India though some of their main players will be missing the series.
We take a look at the current form, head-to-head, players to look out for, and squads of both teams in our match preview.
Current form for India: W L L W W
India had a disappointing result in the Asia Cup as they were knocked out in the Super Four stage after losing to Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Rohit Sharma-led will be determined to turn the tables against Australia and come up with a collective effort.
Current form for Australia: L W W W
Australia had last played the T20I format back in June and they will look to hit the ground running. The visitors will miss the services of some of their key players like David Warner, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Marsh, and Marcus Stoinis but at the same time, it will be a great opportunity for someone like Tim David to grab his chance.
Head to Head: Matches: 24, Won by India: 13, Won by Australia: 9, NR:1, A:1.
India clearly holds the advantage against Australia in the head-to-head battle.
Players to watch out for: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Yuzvendra Chahal will hold the key for India.
Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Josh Hazlewood, Tim David, Aaron Finch, and Glenn Maxwell will be the key players for the tourists.
India Squad for Australia T20Is:
Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul (vc), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dinesh Karthik (wk), Hardik Pandya, R. Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Harshal Patel, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah.
Australia squad for India T20I series:
Aaron Finch (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Daniel Sams, Steve Smith, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa.
