India captain Virat Kohli won the toss and chose to bowl first against Australia in the first T20I at the Gabba in Brisbane on Wednesday.
India captain Virat Kohli returns to the team after being rested for the three-match T20I home series against the West Indies.
The visitors would be looking to dominate the three-match T20I series with a strong batting line-up consisting of Kohli, vice-captain Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Rishabh Pant. K.L. Rahul also found a place in the team despite his poor form in recent times.
India are clear favourites as a weakened Australia has been struggling with form of their current crop of players and the Aaron Finch-led team's recent performances.
The trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed make the pace bowling attack. Spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav are expected to add to the fireworks.
Hardik Pandya's absence from the final 12 is a cause of concern, but the inclusion of his brother, all-rounder Krunal Pandya, should bring a balance to the team.
Australia, which has been reeling under the ball-tampering scandal, has not won a T20I series against an opposition of note since March this year. The absence of Steve Smith and David Warner and their recent performance have put the Australia's chances in the back burner.
On Tuesday, Cricket Australia ruled out reducing the length of the bans on Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft following a plea and the independent review criticising the role of the cricket governing body in the scandal.
Australia will be hoping to thwart India's plans to dominate the series which could determine the direction of the rest of India's tour Down Under.
