IND vs AUS 1st T20I prediction: Can Rohit & Co. begin Australia series with win after Asia Cup disappointment?

India will begin their bid to be ready for the T20 World Cup with a series against the defending champions Australia. No better way to prepare right? However, the Men in Blue will be playing in familiar conditions and will hope to get some form back after an early exit from the Asia Cup 2022. The Indian team will feature more or less the same team that played in the Asia Cup but their bowling stocks will be boosted with the return of Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel.

Both the bowlers not only add experience to this Indian team, but being death-overs specialists they also ensure that the opposition leaves at least a few runs on the field. The biggest thing India will have to sort out in this series would be the team combination and whether they prefer a left-hander in the side or a finisher.

Australia, on the other hand, will miss a few of their key players in David Warner (rested) and the injured trio of Mitchell Marsh, Mitchell Starc and Marcus Stoinis. The onus will be on Glenn Maxwell and the latest addition to the squad Tim David to take up the finishing roles.

Skipper Aaron Finch will also be at the center of all attention as he leads Australia's title defence but has been enduring an awful run of form.

Who will win IND vs AUS 1st T20I: Given the ground dimensions at the PCA Stadium in Mohali, the Australian team will feel somewhat at home as they are used to playing at venues with longer boundaries. However, they will have to deal with India's first-choice pace attack with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Bumrah and Harshal. Without the likes of Marsh and Stoinis, the Australian batting lacks depth and with the death bowling skills Team India possesses, they will be able to restrict the Aussie batters. Thus, expect India to make a winning start to the three-match series.