The focus may still be on the Indian women’s team and their historic World Cup final win at the DY Patil Stadium, but the Men in Blue have their chance to capture attention at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. After the rain-abandoned first T20I in Canberra, the second T20I promises excitement as India faces Australia in front of nearly 90,000 fans at one of cricket’s most iconic venues.
India has fond memories of past T20Is at the ‘G, including their dominant wins over Zimbabwe and Pakistan during the 2022 T20 World Cup. This match offers new stars like Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma the opportunity to shine on a global stage, alongside experienced players like Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill.
Match Details:
- When: October 31, 2025, 19:15 hrs Local Time / 13:45 IST
- Where: MCG, Melbourne
- Expected Conditions: Clouds and light rain in the morning, but the game is likely to start on time. The pitch could play a key role in shaping the contest.
Team News:
Australia Probable XI: Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (c), Josh Inglis (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Mitch Owen, Josh Philippe, Nathan Ellis, Xavier Bartlett, Matthew Kuhnemann, Josh Hazlewood
India Probable XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah
One of the talking points will be India’s exclusion of Arshdeep Singh in favour of Harshit Rana, adding batting depth to the lower order. Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav, who showed glimpses of form in the Canberra match, will look to anchor the innings alongside Tilak Varma and Shubman Gill.
With both teams boasting some of the best T20 talent in the world, the MCG is set for an electrifying atmosphere. Fans can expect a thrilling contest with the potential for record-breaking performances, as India aims to light up the ‘G once more.