The IND vs AUS 2nd T20 match will light up Melbourne on Friday after rain washed out the opening game in Canberra. This time, cricket fans hope the weather gods show mercy. The Ind vs Aus 2nd T20 weather is the only worry. Fans hope the skies stay clear for this blockbuster.
A massive crowd is expected at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Both teams are strong contenders. The IND vs AUS 2nd T20 date is October 31, and the match starts at 1:45 PM IST. You can catch the Ind vs Aus 2nd T20 live on the Star Sports Network and JioHotstar.
Table of Contents
Rain Threat Looms Over IND vs AUS 2nd T20
The IND vs AUS 2nd T20 weather forecast has everyone worried. The forecast predicts showers throughout the day. A thunderstorm could disrupt play again. October has already gifted too many rain-affected matches. Fans pray this one goes the distance.
The first match gave us just 9.4 overs of action. India raced to 97/1 before rain stopped play. Suryakumar Yadav smashed 39 off 24 balls. Shubman Gill looked sharp with 37 off 20. The Indian openers were cruising at 10 runs per over. Australia never got to bat. Their bowlers never got a proper test either.
MCG Ready for Historic Night
The Melbourne Cricket Ground has not hosted a T20I since the 2022 World Cup final. This will be the first match at the venue this season. The ground holds special memories for India. They have won four of their six T20Is here. The 2022 T20 World Cup saw Indian fans pack the stadium. Last season’s Test series also drew huge crowds.
Nathan Ellis is excited about playing at the MCG for the first time. He spoke about the early Big Bash League days. The Melbourne Derby used to pull 90,000 fans regularly. Marcus Stoinis shared his experiences with the younger players. The atmosphere at a packed MCG is electric. It pushes players to perform beyond their limits.
IND vs AUS 2nd T20 Preview: Teams Look to Make Statement
The IND vs AUS 2nd T20 preview shows both teams are evenly matched. India sits at number one in the world rankings. Australia is second. These two teams will likely be the favorites for next year’s T20 World Cup. They could meet in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. That venue is bigger than even the MCG.
Australia’s recent form has been strong. They won three of their last five completed T20Is. India has been dominant with five straight wins. Their batting philosophy under coach Gautam Gambhir is clear. Go hard or go home. The team aims for totals above 250 or 260 every time. Even if they get bowled out for 120 trying, Gambhir accepts that risk.
IND vs AUS Playing 11: Few Changes Expected
The IND vs AUS playing 11 today should remain mostly unchanged. Neither team got enough action in Canberra to warrant big changes. The IND vs AUS playing 11 T20 for both sides shows depth and balance.
India Probable XI:
- Abhishek Sharma
- Shubman Gill (vice-captain)
- Tilak Varma
- Suryakumar Yadav (captain)
- Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper)
- Shivam Dube
- Axar Patel
- Harshit Rana
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Varun Chakravarthy
- Jasprit Bumrah
India might consider playing Arshdeep Singh as an extra pacer. The MCG conditions could favor swing bowling. Nitish Kumar Reddy remains unavailable for the first three matches. Kuldeep Yadav was picked in Canberra but never bowled. He should retain his spot unless conditions demand otherwise.
Australia Probable XI:
- Travis Head
- Mitchell Marsh (captain)
- Josh Inglis (wicketkeeper)
- Tim David
- Mitchell Owen
- Marcus Stoinis
- Josh Philippe
- Xavier Bartlett/Sean Abbott
- Nathan Ellis
- Matthew Kuhnemann
- Josh Hazlewood
Josh Hazlewood will play his last match before switching to Ashes preparation. Sean Abbott is available only for the first three games. Australia might rotate him in for this match. The bowling attack looks strong either way.
Key Battles to Watch
Tim David vs Indian Spinners
Tim David has never played an international at the MCG. His BBL record here is poor. He averages just 16.44 in nine innings at this venue. But David has moved up the batting order recently. He now bats at number four instead of number five.
This change has added dynamism to Australia’s top order. David now has more time to build an innings. He can shape games over longer periods.
India’s spin trio will challenge him hard. Varun Chakravarthy is the world’s number one T20I spinner. He has never bowled to Australia in T20Is before. Kuldeep Yadav adds variety with his chinaman bowling. Axar Patel provides control through the middle overs.
Varun Chakravarthy vs Australian Openers
Chakravarthy could be used early against Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head. This move would be bold but smart. Australia has improved against spin recently. But it remains a potential weakness. Chakravarthy removed Head during the Champions Trophy final this year. Head was building a dangerous innings when the spinner struck.
Jasprit Bumrah’s Milestone Hunt
Bumrah needs just four wickets to reach 100 in T20Is. He will join an elite club of Indian bowlers. His class with the new ball and at the death makes him lethal. Australia’s power hitters will face a stern test against him.
Pitch and Conditions
The MCG pitch usually offers good value for runs. Recent Big Bash games saw totals regularly cross 180. Bowlers still get some help, though. The ground dimensions differ from Canberra. The MCG is a bigger square but shorter straight. Canberra was the opposite. Bowlers and batters must adjust their plans accordingly.
Ellis mentioned that the pitch balances bat and ball well. Power hitters can clear the shorter straight boundaries. But the bigger square boundaries require proper placement. Smart batting will be rewarded more than mindless slogging.
Statistical Highlights
Several milestones are within reach. Mitchell Marsh needs four runs to reach 2,000 in T20Is. Sanju Samson requires seven runs for 1,000 career runs. Tilak Varma sits 38 runs away from his own 1,000-run mark. These personal achievements add extra spice to the contest.
India has dominated the head-to-head record against Australia. They have won 20 of 32 T20I meetings. Australia has won 11 times. One match ended without a result. The last encounter was during the 2024 T20 World Cup. India won that Super Eight match by 24 runs.
Where to Watch IND vs AUS 2nd T20 Live
Cricket fans can catch the IND vs AUS 2nd T20 live on multiple platforms. Star Sports Network will broadcast the match on television in India. JioHotstar app and website will stream it live. The match starts at 1:45 PM IST. Viewers across India can enjoy the action from their homes or on mobile devices.
Last Words
The IND vs AUS 2nd T20 promises high-octane cricket at one of the world’s greatest venues. A potential crowd of 90,000 will create an atmosphere few stadiums can match. India’s explosive batting lineup faces Australia’s improving bowling attack.
Australia’s power-packed batting order will test India’s spin-heavy bowling. Every player knows this series builds momentum toward the T20 World Cup. Every performance matters now.
Rain remains the only real enemy. If the weather holds, fans will witness world-class cricket under lights at the MCG. The roar of the crowd. The crack of the bat. The celebrations after wickets. This is what cricket is meant to be.
Two top teams going at each other with full intensity. The IND vs AUS playing 11 for both sides are ready. The stage is set. Let the battle begin. May the best team win, and may cricket be the real winner tonight.
For more, Follow Sports Dribble on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
My name is Krishanu Das the founder of the Sports Dribble.
I am Accountant by profession but a Sports Blogger by passion.
I am passionate about sharing my all knowledge and experiences of sports, with my readers and every sports enthusiast.
Discover more from SPORTS DRIBBLE
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.