The first T20I at Manuka Oval was washed out after rain interrupted play twice, with India managing to reach 97 for 1 in just 9.4 overs.
Shubman Gill remained unbeaten on 37 off 20 balls while captain Suryakumar Yadav showed glimpses of his old self with 39 off 24, featuring seven fours and three sixes between them.
After Abhishek Sharma fell to Nathan Ellis for 19 off 14, the pair forged a scintillating partnership of 62 runs from just 35 deliveries before persistent rain forced abandonment.
That brief display in Canberra offered enough evidence that both teams arrived hungry for this contest. Now the series shifts to Melbourne Cricket Ground, where both sides will finally get to measure themselves against one another properly.
This article discusses the pitch report of Melbourne Cricket Ground, the weather report of the match day, the winning odds on multiple betting platforms, and other head-to-head stats between the two teams.
India vs Australia 2nd T20I – Match Details
The second T20I between India and Australia takes place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 31, 2025, at 7:15 pm local time. India arrive off a rain-hit opener yet remain unbeaten on the ground.
| Series | India tour of Australia 2025 |
| Match | 2nd T20I |
| Date | Oct 31, 2025 |
| Time | 1:45 PM (IST) – 7:15 PM (LOCAL) |
| Venue | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne |
With close to 90,000 fans expected and India having won four of their six T20Is at the MCG, this match sets the pace for the series as both sides seek early control.
India Tour Of Australia 2025 – Squads
India’s T20I squad mixes established match-winners like Jasprit Bumrah with breakout stars such as Abhishek Sharma after his 931-point rating, while Australia’s selection shows renewed pace focus post-World Cup.
India Squad (T20I):
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill (VC), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar.
Australia Squad (1st and 2nd T20I):
Travis Head, Matt Renshaw, Matthew Short, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh(C), Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Owen, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Xavier Bartlett, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Matthew Kuhnemann
With Australia leaning on fresh pace options and India’s spin-battery of Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav reinstated, both sides reveal clear intent ahead of the intense T20I series.
India vs Australia 2nd T20I – Pitch Report
Melbourne Cricket Ground offers balanced conditions where the surface provides consistent bounce that helps fast bowlers early on, while batters can play strokes freely as the match progresses.
The average first innings score in T20Is at this venue stands at 125 runs, suggesting a pitch that demands application rather than recklessness. The average scoring rate at MCG in BBL 2024-25 was recorded at 8.14, confirming balanced playing conditions.
Teams batting first have historically held a narrow advantage at this ground, though the large boundaries can make clearing the rope challenging for even the biggest hitters.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Behaviour | Balanced surface providing equal opportunities for batters and fast bowlers with good bounce |
| Batting Assistance | Consistent bounce helps stroke play once batters settle; big boundaries require placement |
| Bowling Assistance | Good pace and carry for fast bowlers early; spinners generally play a minimal role |
| Ground Dimensions | Large outfield with considerable square and straight boundaries at the world’s second-largest stadium |
| ODI 1st Innings Score | Average first innings score of 220 in ODIs; 125 in T20Is historically |
| Toss & Dew Factor | Batting second has advantages in night games; teams prefer bowling first at MCG |
The pitch at MCG has earned its reputation as a fair contest between willow and leather. Unlike tracks in subcontinental venues that break up and turn square, this surface maintains its character throughout the match.
While fast bowlers might extract seam movement and bounce off the hard length region, batters can capitalize on the track’s pace to score runs. The stadium’s vast dimensions mean that placement trumps raw power.
India vs Australia 2nd T20I – Weather Report
Melbourne’s warmest day in October typically reaches around 20.6 degrees Celsius, with the 31st historically averaging near those temperatures. Daytime temperatures usually reach 19 degrees in Melbourne during late October, falling to 9 degrees at night.
October ranks as the second wettest month in Melbourne with an average of 65mm precipitation over 14 days, making conditions damp and drizzly throughout.
The forecast suggests another interruption remains possible, though the evening should be clearer than the overcast afternoon.
| Aspect | Forecast |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Around 19 degrees Celsius during match time, with nighttime cooling |
| Weather | Possibility of drizzle; October brings unpredictable Melbourne weather patterns |
| Precipitation | Medium chance of showers; October averages 65mm rainfall over a fortnight |
| Humidity | Moderate humidity levels are typical for the spring season in Melbourne |
| Wind | Moderate winds expected around 8-14 mph from the northwest direction |
Melbourne weather carries the same unpredictability that makes Test cricket here fascinating. Spring brings mild conditions with temperatures fluctuating between cool and warm, often changing within a single day.
Players will need to prepare for everything from bright sunshine to sudden showers.
Australia vs India – Head-to-Head Stats in T20Is
The two sides have clashed 32 times in T20Is. India has won 20, Australia 11, with only one no-result. India has claimed seven of the last eight meetings.
| Matches | 32 |
| India win | 20 |
| Australia win | 11 |
| No result | 1 |
Despite Australia’s strong pace attack and home conditions, they have never won a bilateral multi-match T20I series against India. That record adds psychological weight ahead of the upcoming head-to-head.
Some Other Head-to-Head Stats In T20Is
In 32 T20Is between India and Australia, standout records trace shifts in momentum. India’s 209/4 and Australia’s 201/7 showcase big-scoring potential, while a 74 all-out hints at vulnerability under pressure.
- Highest Total: India – 209/4, Australia – 201/7
- Lowest Total: India – 74, Australia – 86
- Most runs: India – Virat Kohli (794), Australia – Glenn Maxwell (574)
- Most wickets: India – Jasprit Bumrah (17), Australia – Jason Behrendorff (13)
These encounters have produced memorable moments, including India’s 62-run partnership between Gill and Suryakumar in the abandoned first T20I at a run rate exceeding 10 per over.
Kohli’s 794 runs against Australia remain the gold standard for consistency in this rivalry, though he no longer features in T20 internationals. Bumrah’s 17 wickets demonstrate why he finished as Player of the Tournament at the 2024 T20 World Cup with 15 scalps.
Winning & Toss Odds For India vs Australia 2nd T20I
Betting markets reflect India’s status as reigning T20 World Cup champions and current top-ranked team in the format.
India start as marginal favorites despite playing away from home, with their overall squad strength giving them an edge. The odds suggest India holds around 55-56% win probability while Australia sits near 44-45% as home underdogs.
| Platform | India Win Odds | Australia Win Odds | Toss Odds (India) | Toss Odds (Australia) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stake | 3.7 | 1.42 | 1.85 | 1.95 |
| 1xBet | 3.2 | 1.45 | 1.88 | 1.92 |
| 4RABET | 4.2 | 1.44 | 1.90 | 1.87 |
| BETVIBE | 4.6 | 1.46 | 1.83 | 1.96 |
The toss assumes significance given MCG’s track record. Teams winning the toss typically choose to bowl first at Melbourne, allowing them to exploit early moisture and chase with knowledge of the target.
Teams bowling first have won 15 of 27 T20Is played at this venue, reinforcing the advantage of setting a target.
Key Players To Watch In India vs Australia 2nd T20I
The washed-out first match offered glimpses of individual brilliance that will likely define this series. Both squads carry match-winners capable of single-handedly tilting contests, though recent form varies dramatically across the board.
| Player | Reason |
|---|---|
| Abhishek Sharma | Achieved the highest-ever T20I rating of 931 points after amassing 314 runs in Asia Cup; smashed 135 against England, including record 13 sixes |
| Suryakumar Yadav | Averages just 11 in 2025 with 100 runs from 11 innings; became the fifth player to hit 150 T20I sixes during the abandoned first match |
| Jasprit Bumrah | Returns after ODI rest as the world’s number one-ranked bowler across formats; took 15 wickets at the 2024 T20 World Cup with 4.17 economy |
| Travis Head | Averaged 38.50 with 178 strike rate in 2024 but managed just 57 runs at 14.25 in 2025; scored 255 runs against India in T20Is at 150 strike rate |
| Mitchell Owen | Smashed 108 off 42 balls in the BBL final with 11 sixes; debuted internationally in July 2025 with 50 off 27 against the West Indies |
| Josh Hazlewood | Conceded 24 runs in three overs during the abandoned first match with subtle movement; averages 18.98 in 33 T20 innings in Australia |
Abhishek’s transformation into the world’s best T20 batter came through the Asia Cup, where he broke tournament run-scoring records and reached an unprecedented rating.
His 135 against England in February represented the highest individual score by an Indian in T20I history. Yet his dismissal in Canberra for 19 showed he remains willing to take risks against quality pace.
Suryakumar’s struggles in 2025 contrast sharply with his 733 runs at a 156 strike rate in 2023.
Coach Gautam Gambhir defended his captain before the series, noting that T20 cricket prioritizes impact over individual statistics and aggressive players fail more often. His 39 off 24 in the abandoned match suggested he might be rediscovering timing.
Head’s numbers reveal a batter who tore apart attacks throughout 2024 but has hit just 57 runs across four matches in 2025.
His six-hitting dried up completely with zero maximums this year after launching 33 sixes in 2024. Against India specifically, though, he’s scored 255 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 150.89, showing he thrives against these opponents.
Owen’s maiden international innings produced 50 off 27 balls against West Indies while batting at number six, far from his preferred opening slot, where he demolished BBL attacks.
His 39-ball century in the BBL final equaled the competition’s fastest hundred and delivered Hobart Hurricanes their first title. Australia’s decision to debut him mid-order reflects their depth.
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Conclusion: India’s Fiery Start In The 1st T20I Seems Promising
The abandoned first T20I offered just ten overs but revealed how both teams are shaping up. India’s openers attacked early, racing to 97 for one with Gill and Suryakumar adding 62 from 35 balls.
Gill’s crisp hitting and Suryakumar’s timing underlined India’s aggressive intent in all conditions. Australia’s pacers found bounce but lacked control, as Ellis and Hazlewood conceded heavily despite movement.
India carries momentum to Melbourne, strengthened by Bumrah’s return and their varied spin trio. Australia’s hopes rest on Head and Marsh regaining form and Owen sustaining his BBL touch.
Without Zampa, their middle-overs threat looks limited. The MCG’s balanced pitch offers a fair test, though India’s cohesion and recent form give them a slight edge heading into this key clash.
FAQs
Unlike drop-in pitches at other Australian grounds, MCG uses traditional Bulli soil that provides consistent bounce throughout matches while maintaining a balance between bat and ball with its large boundaries rewarding placement over power.
Since his international debut in 2024, Abhishek has reached an unprecedented 931 rating points after his Asia Cup heroics, where he scored 314 runs in seven innings and later struck 135 against England with 13 sixes, both Indian records.
Owen transformed from a middling domestic performer to a T20 sensation by equaling the BBL’s fastest century record with 108 off 42 balls in the final, then debuted for Australia with 50 off 27 against West Indies at age 23.
After scoring 733 runs at a strike rate of 156 in 2023 and nearly 450 runs in 2024, Suryakumar managed only 100 runs from 11 innings in 2025 at an average of 11.11 despite maintaining his aggressive intent.
Teams winning the toss typically bowl first at MCG to exploit early moisture and pace, with bowling-first teams having won 15 of 27 T20Is at the venue while chasing allows teams to plan run chases effectively.
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