IND vs AUS, 1st T20I HIGHLIGHTS: Concussion Sub Chahal's 3-Wickets Help India Beat Australia By 11 Runs In Series Opener

Ind vs Aus T20 HIGHLIGHTS: India posted a competitive 161-run total against Australia in the 1st T20 international at Canberra riding high on a breezy half ton by KL Rahul and a quick fire cameo by all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja down the order

Background

Virat Kohli-led Team India are taking on Aaron Finch-skippered Australia in the first of the three-match T20 international series at the Manuka Oval in Australia's capital city Canberra. 

Australian skipper Aaron Finch won the toss and elected to bowl first against the Indians at the Manuka Oval in Canberra.

'Men In Blue' were handed a 2-1 series defeat in the 3-match ODI series but head into the first T20I after beating the Aussies by 13 runs in the final ODI played at the Manuka Oval, the same venue where the 1st T20I is being played.

India will look to put behind their ODI series loss to Australia and look to even out things with a series win over the hosts in the shortest format.

India's Record In T20 Internationals In Australia

India have a decent T2o international record in Australia, winning five out of the nine T2oIs played against Aussies. They drew the last series against Aussies, they had inflicted a 3-0 defeat over the hosts in the series played in 2016.

ALSO READ | IND vs AUS T20I Schedule: All You Need To Know About Full Series Itinerary, Squads, Match Timings

Team Preview

Australia

Australia will be without their seasoned opener David Warner and frontline seamer Pat Cummins. Darcy Short is set to replace David Warner and open the innings with skipper Aaron Finch.

The Australian middle order has plenty of firepower with quality strokemakers in Steve Smith, Glen Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis and Alex Carey. Australia has the option to pick either Alexy Carey or Matthew Wade to keep wickets or play both of them as Wade too is very handy with the willow in T20 format.

Meanwhile, Glen Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Moises Henriques provide the depth and balance to the squad with their all-round abilities.

Despite the absence of Pat Cummins, the Australian seam attack will be a potent force with Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Kane Richardson and Sean Abbot.

Leg spinner Adam Zampa would once again be their frontline tweaker and will share the spin duties with Glen Maxwell and Ashton Agar.

India

Wicket-keeper batsman KL Rahul will be the front contender to open the innings with seasoned opener Shikhar Dhawan in the absence of Rohit Sharma. Skipper Virat Kohli should have company in the form of Shreyas Iyer and Manish Pandey in a power packed middle order.

Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja will look to resume all-round duties and play the role of finishers with the willow at the No. 6 and No. 7 slots in the lower middle order.

Leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal will be the visitor's strike weapon in the spin department. The spin arsenal is bolstered by the inclusion of mystery spinner Washington Sundar.

India has plenty of depth in their seam bowling armoury with Mohammad Shami, Deepak Chahar, Navdeep Saini and newcomer T Natarajan.

Here are the full squads for India and Australia in the 3-match T2OI series:

India: Virat Kohli (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul (vice-captain and wicket-keeper), Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya, Sanju Samson (wicket-keeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd.Shami, Navdeep Saini, Deepak Chahar, T Natarajan.

Australia: Aaron Finch (C), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Daniel Sams, Kane Richardson, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, A'Arcy Short, Adam Zampa.

17:27 PM (IST)  •  04 Dec 2020

After a fiery performance from KL Rahul (40-ball 51) and all-rounder Jadeja (23-ball 44) with the bat, concussion substitute Yuzvendra Chahal (25 runs for 3 wickets) and sensational young speedster T Natarajan (30 runs for 3 wickets) starred with the ball to help India defeat Australia by 11 runs in the series opener Manuka Oval on Friday to take 1-0 lead in the three-match T20 series.

17:15 PM (IST)  •  04 Dec 2020

OUT! Three wickets for Yuzvendra Chahal! Wade is now gone for 7! Concussion substitute has earned a spot for the second T20, he finishes 25/3, gets a wicket on his final delivery. AUS need 36 runs off 15 deliveries.

17:09 PM (IST)  •  04 Dec 2020

Young all-rounder Washington Sundar has failed to pick any wicket but concedes only 16 runs from his four overs!

17:07 PM (IST)  •  04 Dec 2020

Mohammed Shami, T. Natarajan, Yuzvendra Chahal and Chahar have an over each. Australia need 46 more off 24 balls.

17:04 PM (IST)  •  04 Dec 2020

OUT! Natarajan has dismissed D'Arcy Short for a 38-ball 34 to get his second wicket. The Aussie opener never got going and the young Indian paceman has finally put an end to his struggle. Wade is the next man to the crease. AUS need 46 runs in 25 balls.