AUS vs IND, 1st T20I: Pitch report of Manuka Oval in Canberra

The first T20I between India and Australia will be held on Wednesday, October 29 at the Manuka Oval in Canberra. Australia has already defeated India in the three match ODI series by 2-1 and now the focus has shifted to the shortest format. The five-match T20I series will also be very crucial in preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup which is just a few month away.

IND vs AUS: Pitch Report

Manuka Oval is classically renowned for laying on real batting wickets that provide even bounce and carry. In 22 so far T20 matches hosted here, the average first-innings score is close to 150 runs, indicating that batsmen can easily score once they establish themselves. The highest score in this ground is 195, achieved by the South Africa Women’s team.

As this is Canberra’s opening match of the season, the pitch will most likely be fresh and loaded with runs. Under lights, the ball should come well onto the bat, though spinners can expect some assistance later on. Seamers, however, might receive help early on with the brand-new ball with the breeze in Canberra evenings.

IND vs AUS: Toss Strategy

Winning the toss might be crucial in setting the game’s trajectory. Traditionally, the teams batting first have had a reasonable amount of success here, but with the good batting conditions and potential for dew later in the night, chasing may be the more appealing choice. Captains would want to have a target set and avail themselves of any help for batters under lights.