Key Highlights
- Matt Short makes a remarkable recovery from finger surgery to play in the T20I clash against India.
- The match will be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on October 29, 2025.
- Australia captain Mitch Marsh won the toss and elected to bowl first.
- India’s world champion T20 team has tickets sold out for weeks.
Matt Short’s Remarkable Recovery
Less than a week after undergoing finger surgery, allrounder Matt Short has made an impressive recovery to be included in the Australian squad for the upcoming T20I match against India. The match is set to take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on October 29, 2025.
Short was injured during last week’s One Day International (ODI) series and underwent a ‘cleanout’ operation on Sunday. He missed the first BKT Tyres series opener in Canberra due to his injury but is now back in the side in place of Josh Philippe, who will not be playing.
Match Setup and Context
Australia captain Mitch Marsh elected to bowl first in a match that promises to be highly anticipated. The MCG, Australia’s largest sporting venue, has seen public tickets sold out for weeks due to the excitement of seeing India’s world champion T20 team.
The match will be a part of a series consisting of five T20 Internationals (T20Is) between Australia and India. The second match is scheduled for October 31, while the third and fourth matches are set to take place in Hobart and Gold Coast respectively on November 2 and 6. The final match will be played at The Gabba in Brisbane on November 8.
Team Lineups and Expectations
The Australian squad is unchanged from the XI picked for the game at Manuka Oval, with key players like Glenn Maxwell returning after a break from injury. His return from a broken wrist means he will be available for Sunday’s third T20I in Hobart.
Australia has fielded an experienced team with several players who are well-versed in playing at the MCG. Nathan Ellis, now a T20 mainstay, is expected to play his first international at the MCG and hopes for a high-scoring contest.
The match will also be a sombre note for both teams as they pay tribute to Ben Austin, the 17-year-old junior cricketer who died after being struck while batting in the nets.
India has picked their top-ranked T20I team, with players like Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah leading the charge. The match is set against a backdrop of intense competition and high expectations from both teams and fans alike.
The upcoming matches in the series will provide valuable experience for Australian newcomers like Short, Matthew Kuhnemann, and Xavier Bartlett, who are playing their first international at the MCG. The tournament promises to be an exciting affair with all eyes on the players as they navigate the pressures of high-stakes cricket.
