Win Projections to be updated soon
Canberra, 29 October 2025:
Rain spoiled the opening T20I between Australia and India on Wednesday, ending what had looked like a promising start for India captain Suryakumar Yadav in the five-match series.
The contest, already reduced to 18 overs per side after an earlier delay, was eventually abandoned shortly before 10 pm local time with India on 97 for 1 in the 10th over. Suryakumar and Shubman Gill had steered the visitors into a strong position when heavy rain returned to the Manuka Oval.
Suryakumar, who appeared to rediscover the fluency that marked his IPL form earlier this year, struck two fours and a six off Nathan Ellis in what proved to be the final over of play. The India skipper, dropped on 18 when Josh Philippe spilled a difficult chance running back from mid-on, had passed 20 for just the second time in his last 15 T20I innings.
Australia captain Mitchell Marsh continued his good fortune with the toss and, true to form, chose to bowl first, as he has done in all 18 previous T20Is when given the option.
India signaled their aggressive intent from the outset. Abhishek Sharma, facing Australia for the first time, charged at Josh Hazlewood’s opening delivery and ended the first over by stepping out to carve him through point. He was dismissed in the powerplay for 19, driving Ellis to Tim David at mid-off.
Gill survived a close lbw call on 11 after Australia reviewed a slower ball from Ellis that was shown to be clipping the top of the bails. The right-hander continued positively between the rain interruptions, slog-sweeping Matt Kuhnemann over deep midwicket shortly before the final stoppage.
A lively fifth-over duel between Suryakumar and Hazlewood provided an early highlight. After being beaten by two sharp deliveries, Suryakumar launched a flick over deep square leg for six to reassert his dominance.
India fielded the same three frontline spinners, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy who featured in the Asia Cup final, while Jasprit Bumrah led the pace attack alongside Harshit Rana.
All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy missed the opening three matches with quad and neck injuries.
Australia were without Cameron Green, who remained on Shield duty, Glenn Maxwell (available from the third game) and Adam Zampa (personal reasons).
The teams will meet again in the second T20I on Friday in Melbourne, weather permitting.
