India vs Australia 2019, 1st T20I, Vizag - Match Preview; Head-to-Head, Weather Report and Where to Watch

As both India and Australia gear up for the limited-overs series, Cricket Addictor brings you the match preview, head-to-head stats, weather report and where you can watch the match. Vizag, on Sunday (February 24th), will host the first of the two T20Is; meanwhile, Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru will host the second game on Wednesday (February 27th). Five ODIs will follow – scheduled for March 2nd (Hyderabad), March 5th (Nagpur), March 8th (Ranchi), March 10th (Mohali) and March 13th (Delhi).

India vs Australia 2019, 1st T20I, Vizag – Match Preview

India aims to strengthen grip over Australia

The India National Cricket Team will enter the contest as outright favourites. Recently, they outnumbered Australia in their backyard – beating them in ODIs (2-1) and drew the T20Is (1-1). Though their last international assignment ended in a loss (1-2 in T2oIs at the hands of NZ); Virat’s team will possess a threat to the visitors.

Meanwhile, the BCCI had named a 15-man squad for the two T20Is – resting Kuldeep Yadav and giving Mayank Markande his maiden call-up. There have been a few surprising inclusions as well including that of KL Rahul and Umesh Yadav. Also, Hardik Pandya is ruled out of the entire series, as he suffered lower-back stiffness. In his absence, all-rounder, Vijay Shankar could fill in the place in the XI.

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Off all the players who earned a recall, Jasprit Bumrah’s name has to stay on the top. After helping India win the Border-Gavaskar trophy for the first time in Down Under, the pacer remained on rest for Australia, New Zealand ODIs. Since Bhuvneshwar didn’t get picked for the T20Is, Bumrah will lead the attack.

India’s predicted XI for Vizag T20I against Australia –

Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli (c), Rishabh Pant, MS Dhoni (wk), Krunal Pandya, Umesh Yadav, Mayak Markande, Jasprit Bumrah and Yuzvendra Chahal

Australia seek redemption over dominant India

Under Aaron Finch’s captaincy, the Aussies haven’t been a dominant force they are reckoned to be. They lost the ODIs at home to South Africa first and then India – creating doubts over his leadership skills. However, the board has invested trust in the opener and asked him to take the baton against India in the limited-overs series. Though the Men in Yellow have struggled to find the rhythm, especially in ODI cricket; this Australia team has the firepower to upset the dominant Indians at home.

In the 16-man squad picked for the two T20Is, the Oz has gone with D’Arcy Short at the top of the order with Shaun Marsh and Usman Khawaja. In the middle-order, they have picked all-rounders in the name of Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis.

Aussies’ bowling department is thrilled to have welcomed Pat Cummins on board. To assist him, Jhye Richardson, Jason Behrendorff and Nathan Coulter Nile will be there. Meanwhile, the spinners on the list are Nathan Lyon and Adam Zampa.

Australia’s predicted XI for Vizag T20I against India –

D’Arcy Short, Aaron Finch (c), Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter Nile, Jhye Richardson and Adam Zampa

Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium on match eve of the opening #INDvAUS T20I on Sunday night pic.twitter.com/ku3sESsYYE

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 23, 2019

Head-to-Head –

Matches – 18; India – 11, Australia – 6, NR – 1

Weather Report –

Since the match will begin at 7 pm IST, the temperature will hover around 23 degrees with chances of thunderstorms remaining to be 24%.

Where to Watch –

You can watch the live coverage of the first T20I between India and Australia on the STAR NETWORK. For those who wish to watch it online, HOTSTAR will broadcast the match.