The stage is set in Manuka Oval, Canberra as Australia and India go head-to-head in the first match of a five-game T20I series starting Wednesday, October 29. India, the reigning T20 World Champions and current No.1 side, enter the series in dominant form winning Asia Cup 2025.
Australia Shuffles Spin Attack Ahead of T20I Opener
Consequently, Adam Zampa will miss the start of the T20I series against India. Therefore, Tanveer Sangha has earned a surprise call-up. Moreover, Zampa’s absence stems from personal reasons—specifically, the birth of his second child with wife Harriet. As a result, Cricket Australia confirmed Sangha’s inclusion on Monday. Furthermore, the 23-year-old leg-spinner will join the squad in Canberra immediately.
Sangha Brings Recent Domestic Form Into Focus
Notably, Sangha currently leads the One-Day Cup wicket charts. In fact, he has taken ten wickets at an impressive average of 14.10 for New South Wales. Additionally, he impressed during Australia A’s recent tour of India, claiming seven wickets in Kanpur. Meanwhile, his last T20I appearance came in 2023 against South Africa, where he returned career-best figures of 4 for 31. Thus, his selection rewards consistent white-ball performances.
Kuhnemann Likely to Partner Sangha in Spin Duo
Accordingly, Matthew Kuhnemann is expected to fill Zampa’s shoes in the playing XI. Indeed, Kuhnemann was already named in the original T20 squad. Hence, he and Sangha could form Australia’s spin combination for the first match. However, Zampa remains a massive loss—he is Australia’s leading T20I wicket-taker with 131 scalps at 21.38. Still, selectors trust Sangha’s potential and Kuhnemann’s control.
Australia Rotates Pace Attack for Ashes Preparation
Simultaneously, Australia is managing workloads ahead of the Ashes. For instance, Josh Hazlewood will play only the first two T20Is. Likewise, Sean Abbott will depart after game three to join Sheffield Shield duties. Moreover, 20-year-old Mahli Beardman—hero of the U19 World Cup final—will debut from game three onward. Clearly, the selectors are balancing immediate competition with long-term Test planning.
India Enter as Slight Favorites with Strong XI
On the other hand, India arrive as reigning T20 World Cup champions. Unsurprisingly, they dominate recent form—winning four of their last five T20Is. Parthiv Patel predicts an explosive top order: Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill will open. Then, Tilak Varma and captain Suryakumar Yadav will anchor the middle. Also, Sanju Samson will keep wickets at number five.
Spin and Pace Balance India’s Bowling Arsenal
Furthermore, Patel expects Axar Patel as the lone frontline spinner. Nevertheless, Sporting News includes Kuldeep Yadav in their predicted XI. Either way, India’s attack looks potent. Jasprit Bumrah leads the pace unit, supported by Arshdeep Singh and mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy. Additionally, all-rounders Shivam Dube and Nitish Reddy add depth. Altogether, India’s XI blends youth, experience, and versatility.
Series Opener Set for High-Stakes Clash in Canberra
Ultimately, the stage is set at Manuka Oval on October 29. Both teams aim to fine-tune combinations ahead of next year’s global events. Although Australia boasts home advantage, India hold a 20–11 edge in T20I head-to-heads. Betting markets slightly favor India at odds of 1.82. Consequently, fans can expect a fiercely contested opener with major implications for both squads.