India are all set to face off against Australia in the first T20I at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on Wednesday, October 29. The Men in Blue come into this match on the back of a 2-1 loss in the preceding three-match ODI series.
Despite the recent setback in ODIs, India have been in excellent form in the shortest format lately. They clinched the 2025 Asia Cup in fairly comfortable fashion and are also the defending champions of the T20 World Cup. Given their strong recent performances, the visitors aren’t expected to make many changes to the side that has brought them success.
### India’s T20I Squad for the Australia Tour
– Suryakumar Yadav (captain)
– Abhishek Sharma
– Shubman Gill (vice-captain)
– Tilak Varma
– Nitish Kumar Reddy
– Shivam Dube
– Axar Patel
– Jitesh Sharma (wk)
– Varun Chakaravarthy
– Jasprit Bumrah
– Arshdeep Singh
– Kuldeep Yadav
– Harshit Rana
– Sanju Samson (wk)
– Rinku Singh
– Washington Sundar
### Predicted Playing XI for the First T20I against Australia
**Openers:** Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma
India have stuck with Shubman Gill despite his indifferent performances in the 2025 Asia Cup. The vice-captain will open the innings, taking the first strike alongside Abhishek Sharma, who is currently in red-hot form.
**Middle Order:** Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Sanju Samson (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy
Hardik Pandya’s absence leaves a huge void, and India may look to fill it by selecting Nitish Kumar Reddy as a like-for-like replacement. Reddy has been declared fit after missing the third ODI due to a quad strain.
The rest of the middle order is expected to maintain a similar structure. Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav will complete the top four, with Yadav facing some pressure to deliver runs. Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson, and Axar Patel, who batted out of position for most of the Asia Cup, are likely to retain their spots for now.
Meanwhile, Rinku Singh and Jitesh Sharma could start the series on the bench. There is a possibility that India may opt to replace either Nitish Kumar Reddy or Shivam Dube with a specialist seamer like Harshit Rana, but that would reduce batting depth and go against the team’s recent approach.
**Lower Order:** Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy
Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh are expected to lead India’s pace attack in Canberra. The team is likely to pick Varun Chakaravarthy over Kuldeep Yadav as the specialist spinner.
Although omitting Kuldeep might seem like a questionable decision, India may prioritize bowling depth and pace options by sticking with this familiar combination.
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Stay tuned for more updates ahead of this exciting first T20I between India and Australia!
https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/india-s-predicted-playing-xi-1st-t20i-vs-australia-ft-shivam-dube-arshdeep-singh
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