Copyright timesnownews
India are currently taking on Australia in the first T20I of the five-match series at the Manuka Oval in Canberra. This is an important series for the Suryakumar Yadav-led side as the two top sides in the world in this format in the ICC rankings take on each other, in what will act as an important preparation for the T20 World Cup 2026 which begins in February. As the playing XI for both the sides were announced, the biggest surprise was Arshdeep Singh's name was not there, whereas Harshit Rana was included. Arshdeep Singh's exclusion did raise certain eyebrows, especially since he is India's highest T20I wicket-taker and the only player to get more than 100 T20I wickets for the Men in Blue. However, Harshit Rana was included in the playing XI as the second pacer beacuse of his batting ability in all probability. He showed how handy he was with the bat in the second ODI against Australia, where played an important knock at no.9. scoring 24 runs. In the absence of Hardik Pandya and Nitish Reddy due to injury, India needed someone who can be the second pacer and also provide stability with the bat - as has been India's strategy under Gautam Gambhir. India have gone with three spinners in their lineup for the first T20I - Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy, and the two pacers in Harshit Rana and Jasprit Bumrah. Shivam Dube will act the third seamer in the match. FOLLOW: India Vs Australia 1st T20I Live Updates Playing XI Australia: Mitchell Marsh(c), Travis Head, Josh Inglis(w), Tim David, Mitchell Owen, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Philippe, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Josh Hazlewood India: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson(w), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah
