IND v AUS 2020, 1st T20I: Australia's predicted playing XI

Middle order: Steve Smith, Alex Carey (wk)

Steve Smith should resume from where he left off in the ODI series against India.

The fixture for Australia in all formats, Steve Smith should reprise his familiar role at No. 3. Incidentally, he was the top scorer in the last game played at this venue, which should give him confidence - if he needed any more, following a Man of the Series win against India.

The biggest question in Australian circles would be that of Marnus Labuschagne, who is seen by many people as Steve Smith's understudy since he seamlessly replaced the latter as a concussion substitute in the 2019 Ashes. His sparkling returns in the longer formats could inspire a bold selection call. What goes against him, however, is a lacklustre BBL record, with not much in terms of T20 pedigree behind him.

The safer option therefore is to persist with both Alex Carey and Matthew Wade, with the latter playing as a specialist batsman. Carey has made his name as a middle order batsman for Australia over time, even if he does open the innings in the BBL for the Adelaide Strikers.

With recent form not quite behind Carey, the keeper-batsman will look to make amends. In terms of batting order, he is quite likely to bat after some of the more explosive all-rounders in the side.