After thrashing Australia 4-1 in the five-match one-day international (ODI) series, a confident India will aim to extend their dominance over the Kangaroos in the three-match T20 International series starting in Ranchi on Saturday. With a staggering 9-4 head-to-head record in favour of the hosts and a 3-0 clean sweep in their previous meeting in Australia in January last year, India definitely look a formidable unit going into Saturday's encounter at the Jharkhand Cricket Association (JCA) International Stadium, Ranchi.
India will also be bolstered by the return of old warhorses like Ashish Nehra, Dinesh Karthik and opener Shikhar Dhawan against a side with whom they have lost only once out of the five series played so far. The rise of all-rounder Hardik Pandya and the guile of the wrist spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal have made life difficult for Australia in the one-day series.
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The return of the 38-year-old Nehra will be a key factor for India as the left-arm pacer would add variety to the pace attack of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah. Dhawan, who had opted out of the five-match ODI series, is back after attending to his ill wife, while Lokesh Rahul's inclusion ahead of an in-form Ajinkya Rahane will also add to the stiff competition in the top order.
Australia, on the other hand, will aim to gain some confidence before heading back to play the Ashes series in a month's time. But they're over-dependence on the duo of skipper Steve Smith and his deputy David Warner have proved fatal during the 50-over series. The tourists will hope for a better show from their middle order, including the likes of Glenn Maxwell and Travis Head, who failed to click as a unit during the ODIs.
Uncapped left-arm speedster Jason Behrendorff, along with wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Paine, all-rounders Moises Henriques and Dan Christian, are the new additions to Australia's T20I squad.
Live Score Ind vs Aus T20
When is the India vs Australia 1st T20I match?
The first game of the three-match T20I series between India and Australia has been started at 7 PM on Saturday, October 7.
Where will the India vs Australia 1st T20I match be played?
The first T20I between India and Australia has been started at the JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi.
What time does India vs Australia 1st T20I match start?
The first T20I between India and Australia is started at 7 PM (IST) and the toss has been taken place at 6.30 PM (IST). For all the Live updates, tune into www.indiatvnews.com.
Where can I watch India vs Australia 1st T20I Live Cricket Score and Match?
The first T20I between India and Australia will be broadcast Live on Star Sports Networks. The TV channels that will show the match Live are Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi and both HD channels.
Where can I watch Ind vs Aus Cricket online Live Score and Streaming free?
You can watch live streaming of India vs Australia match online on Hotstar App. You can also follow Live updates and Live Score, Ball-by-Ball Commentary on www.indiatvnews.com.
