How Manuka Oval’s Pitch Could Shape India’s Chances in Canberra News24 –

AUS vs IND 1st T20I: On October 29, 2025, the first T20I between India and Australia will be played at Canberra’s iconic Manuka Oval. Established in 1929, this ground is known for its scenic beauty and lively atmosphere. With a seating capacity of 13,550, it offers fans an intimate yet exciting environment to enjoy cricket.

The pitch at Manuka Oval is known for its true bounce and stroke-friendly nature, making it ideal for T20 cricket. However, the longer square boundaries can make life a little tricky for batsmen in the early overs. Historically, the average first-innings score in T20Is here is around 150. While the pitch is slightly slow, it rewards batters who take time to settle before accelerating.

Fast bowlers get good bounce, and spinners have enough variation to make an impact. Across 22 T20Is played at the ground, teams batting first have won 10 times, while chasing teams have won 9 times, making it a fairly balanced venue. Scores above 180 are usually challenging to chase.

India’s Past Record at Manuka Oval

India last played a T20I at Manuka Oval in 2020, where they managed a narrow victory against Australia. Yuzvendra Chahal was the star with a three-wicket haul, while T Natarajan impressed on his debut, helping India restrict Australia to a chaseable total. The Indian team successfully chased down the target to secure a memorable win.

Players to Watch

For India, Abhishek Sharma has been in excellent form this year, scoring consistently with a brilliant strike rate of 208.8. On the Australian side, Mitchell Marsh will be one to keep an eye on, coming off a record-breaking 5-0 series win against the West Indies.

Manuka Oval promises an exciting start to the India vs Australia T20I series, with a mix of high-quality cricket, strategic battles, and thrilling moments for fans.