India vs Australia warm-up match: Rohit Sharma loses toss, India to bat first

Indian captain Rohit Sharma lost the toss on Monday, October 17, as Australia opted to bowl first in the warm-up match at The Gabba. The Indians will be batting first, giving millions of fans a first look into how the Men in Blue have prepared so far for the T20 World Cup 2022.

India will be beginning their T20 World Cup campaign on October 23, Sunday, when they take on arch-rivals Pakistan. However, the Men in Blue will be playing two warm-up matches ahead of that game, the first of which is taking place on Monday at The Gabba.

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“Feeling good about it. Wanted to try out things, we don’t mind batting first, and setting up a target. Nice fresh pitch,” Sharma said.

“We came here pretty early, we were in Perth having a preparatory camp. We are almost there. These games will allow us to get where we want. It’s obviously getting to the business end, and we want to try a few things,” he added.

“In my mind, I know what bowlers are going to play. It is important to give them that confidence, few of the guys have come for the first time in Australia. It is a nice place to play cricket,” the 35-year-old continued.

Sharma also went on to say that captaining the Indian team at the T20 World Cup 2022 is a privilege for him. He also mentioned that it is the first time in the last 15 years that he is leading the Indian team in a World Cup.

“Looks like a pretty good wicket and we want to chase it down. Played a little more cricket in the lead-up which allows us to rotate a few guys. We are pretty close. In run chases we have been one more wicket down and tail has had to a bit,” Australia captain Aaron Finch said after winning the toss.

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The Australian skipper also revealed that star batter David Warner is recuperating from a neck injury and will not be playing against India in the warm-up match. He also revealed that Mattew Wade, Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa are the other absentees for the Aussies in the game.

India squad: The Indian team has named its entire 15-man squad on the team sheet for the first warm-up match against Australia.

Australia squad: Aaron Finch, Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Josh Inglis, Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson