India vs Australia 1st T20I | Playing 11 Prediction, Cricket Tips, Preview & Live Streaming

India to play a five-match T20I series versus Australia (AP Photos)

The dust hasn't even settled properly on the ICC World Cup 2023, and we have the build-up to the next major cricket event picking up steam as India and Australia face off against each other in a five-match T20I series starting Thursday (November 23). 

The two great rivals collide again after tussling it out for World Cup supremacy to truly open up their planning and preparation phase for the next men's T20 World Cup scheduled for June in the Caribbean and USA.

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While resting multiple key players following a quick turnaround from the quadrennial event that concluded in Ahmedabad, both countries have confirmed attention and focus on youth to iron out chinks in their armoury, which has infused interest in a series that may have otherwise been an afterthought for many still recovering from the World Cup frenzy. 

IND vs AUS: Team Previews 

India 

India have rested 13 of their World Cup squad members for this T20I series, with the additional absence of premier allrounder Hardik Pandya on injury grounds. Giving players time to cope with the heartbreaking loss in the final in Ahmedabad, the selectors have provided stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav and his men a chance to grow as T20I players and claim a place in the regular outfit.

The squad selected is similar to the one that played a three-match T20I series in Ireland in August, with Ruturaj Gaikwad appointed vice-captain and mighty talented Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, and Tilak Varma given a chance to build on their respective gains and experiences. 

Indian players in Ireland (X.com)

Among the all-rounders, Axar Patel returns to the side following an untimely injury and joins Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar in the options list for the team management headed by interim head coach VVS Laxman.

Ishan Kishan is expected to get the first nod in the wicketkeeper's spot above the aspiring Jitesh Sharma, while Ravi Bishnoi now becomes the designated first-choice spinner after the axing of Yuzvendra Chahal. The pace attack has Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, and Mukesh Kumar. 

Australia 

For the Australians, they will have to ensure the World Cup high doesn't shake their focus from the T20I assignment. The selectors have smartly gone about decision-making and rested multiple big names for part of the month-long tournament while still retaining the squad's strength and experience in Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Travis Head, and Marcus Stoinis.

Also retained despite the superquick changeover of formats are wicketkeeper Josh Inglis and wrist-spinner Adam Zampa, apart from backup allrounder Sean Abbott. Inglis is expected to be sidelined with the return of Matthew Wade, who is a T20I specialist for Australia and also the stand-in captain in the absence of Mitchell Marsh.

Matthew Wade (X.com)

Head will be India's biggest threat among the batting lot following his match-winning century in the final in Ahmedabad and is set to be joined by the swashbuckling Tim David and Matthew Short. Smith's selection had raised quite a few eyebrows but the veteran perhaps has the final chance to revive his T20I fortunes following a comeback earned on the basis of a pair of BBL hundreds. 

All the big tall fast bowlers who dominated the World Cup final have been rested but Jason Behrendorff, Tanveer Sangha, and Nathan Ellis have an opportunity to bolster their stocks in the shortest format with a solid outing in India.

IND vs AUS: Match Details & Live Streaming

IND vs AUS: Visakhapatnam Pitch Report

The pitch in Visakhapatnam has over the years tended to play dry and offered spinners reasonable grip and turn. Under lights dew, however, could turn it into a batters' paradise, especially in the second half when the ball will skid onto the bat and make it easier to line up fours and sixes. One can expect the team winning the toss to bowl first and try to restrict the opposition to a manageable score in what should be a high-scoring fixture.

IND vs AUS: Probable Playing XIs

India: Ishan Kishan (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna 

Australia: Steve Smith, Travis Head, Matthews Short, Tim David, Matthew Wade (c & wk), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Sean Abbott, Adam Zampa, Jason Behrendorff, Spencer Johnson

IND vs AUS: Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

IND vs AUS: Winner Prediction 

There is talent prevalent inside that Indian changing room despite the absence of multiple senior pros, but considering some of them are about to take the field after a considerable period away, the greater experience of the Australians thus make them slight favourites for the match and the series.

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