AUS vs IND, 2nd T20I Match Prediction: Who will win today’s game between Australia vs India?

The action moves to the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) for the second T20 International between Australia and India on October 31, with both teams eager to finally get a result on the board. The series opener in Canberra was frustratingly called off due to persistent rain, denying fans a full contest after a promising start by the visiting Indian side.

With the first match ending in a ‘No Result’ after India had reached 97/1 in 9.4 overs (with Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill looking fluent), the series now essentially starts afresh as a four-match affair. Both sides will be keen to set the pace and take an early 1-0 lead, which is crucial in a short bilateral contest.

India’s confidence will be boosted by the form they displayed in the brief passage of play in Canberra, particularly the return to form for Captain Suryakumar, who slammed a quickfire 39. The high-risk, attacking philosophy adopted by the Indian T20 side under new management was evident, and they will look to replicate that fearless approach at the ‘G’. India holds a strong 20-11 head-to-head advantage against Australia in T20Is and has an impressive record in Australia, having not lost a multi-game T20I series Down Under since 2008.

Australia, led by Mitchell Marsh, will need a strong performance at home to counter the highly-rated Indian T20 outfit. They possess an array of power-hitters like Travis Head, Marcus Stoinis, and Tim David, who can change the course of a match quickly. The availability of pace ace Josh Hazlewood for this match provides a crucial boost to their bowling attack, which will be tested by India’s deep and in-form batting lineup.

AUS vs IND, 2nd T20I: Match Details

Date and Time: October 31; 1:45 pm IST/ 08:15 am GMT/ 7:15 pm Local
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne

AUS vs IND, Head-to-Head Record (T20Is)

Matches Played: 33 | Australia won: 11 | India won: 20 | No results/Tie: 2

Melbourne Cricket Ground Pitch Report

The MCG pitch is typically known for its pace and bounce, offering good carry to the fast bowlers with the new ball. While the surface is generally flat early on, assisting strokeplay, the large outfield presents a unique challenge, making running between the wickets an important factor. The average first-innings score in T20s here is around 150-160, but a total over 170 is often tricky to chase given the ground’s dimensions. Teams batting second have historically had slightly better success at this venue.

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