IND vs AUS 1st T20 Preview: Can Aussies inflict an upset on Kohli's all conquering brigade in their own backyard

The visitors would like to settle scores with the 'Men in Blue' after losing both the Test and ODI series in their own backyard. The Australians have an uphill task against Kohli and his Brigade who have been phenomenal at home winning all their T20 bilateral series since their one off series loss to South Africa way back in 2015.

Aaron Finch-led Australia shall be taking on India in a two match T20 series with the first game to be played out at Vishakhapatnam on February 24^th.

The visitors would like to settle scores with the 'Men in Blue' after losing both the Test and ODI series in their own backyard. The Australians have an uphill task against Kohli and his Brigade who have been phenomenal at home winning all their T20 bilateral series since their one off series loss to South Africa way back in 2015.

The Aussies would look to improve on their poor track record in T20Is which has seen them only winning one of their last seven games. However, they would be rather upbeat after squaring off the recently concluded T20 series against India in their own backyard.

Ever since the inception of the T20 format, Australia have generally been on the losing side to India, winning only six of their 18 encounters. India have an overwhelming record playing against the Aussies at home, winning four of the five encounters.

India vs Australia 

(T20Is Head to Head)

Total Played – 18

Australia Won - 6

India Won – 11

No Result - 1

Australian team for India vs Australia T20 series 2019: Aaron Finch (c), Pat Cummins, Alex Carey, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Peter Handscomb, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Turner, Adam Zampa, D’Arcy Short. 

Team Preview: The Aussies who do not boast of the best possible record in the shortest form in the sub-continent would draw consolation from the fact that most of their players are akin to the Indian conditions due to them playing in the Indian Premier League. 

The Yellow brigade shall miss out on the services of pace spearhead Mitchell Starc who has been ruled out due to a pectoral injury. The Aussies shall also be dented by the absence of T20 specialist Billy Stanlake, Peter Siddle and Jason Behrendorff . In their absence, Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter Nile and Kane Richardson shall be sharing the brunt of the pace bowling workload.

Aaron Finch who shall be donning the captaincy hat shall be opening the innings with Big Bash star Darcy Short. Finch who is the leading T20 international run scorer for Australia against India would look to lead the batting charge yet again. The middle order shall rally around Usman Khwaja and Peter Handscomb as both the Marsh brothers miss out. Hard hitting wicket keeper batsman Alex Carey gets a look in once again and may look to enhance his credentials for a World Cup berth.

Hard hitting batsman Ashton Turner who left a telling impression with some whirlwind knocks for the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League has earned a deserving berth in the playing eleven. The Aussies have some explosive firepower down the order with Glen Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis, both of whom can play some match winning cameos down the order. The ‘Big Show’ and Stoinis also bring the ideal balance to the side with their all-round capabilities. 

The Kangaroos have a lot of options in their spin attack with Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa and Glen Maxwell. While Lyon is been seen as the frontline spinner to book his berth in Australia’s World Cup squad, Adam Zampa would look to leave an impression on the selectors with time running out. 

So despite some big names missing from their lineup, the Australians have the arsenal in their armoury to inflict a potential upset on the Indians who shall start favourites for the upcoming series.