India vs Australia: Rishabh Pant left out, Umesh Yadav in after Jasprit Bumrah rested

India vs Australia, 1st T20I: While Dinesh Karthik was picked ahead of Rishabh Pant, India also brought back Umesh Yadav for the first time since February 2019 into T20i cricket. Jasprit Bumrah was rested while Australia handed debut to Tim David.

India left out wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant from the playing XI for the first of a 3-match T20I series against Australia in Mohali on Tuesday, September 20. India brought back veteran Dinesh Karthik for the series opener as India begin their final leg of preparation for the T20 World Cup.

In what coud give a peek into India's thinking process in the lead up to the World Cup, Dinesh Karthik returned to the XI after he was left out for all 3 matches in the Super 4 stage of the recently-concluded Asia Cup.

INDIA vs AUSTRALIA, 1st T20I Updates

India also rested Jasprit Bumrah, who returned to the squad after missing the Asia Cup 2022 campaign due to an injury. Umesh Yadav returned to the T20I side for the first time since February 2019. Notably, Yadav had replaced Mohammed Shami, who was included in the squad but the senior pacer was ruled out due to Covid-19.

Harshal Patel also returned to the side after missing the Asia Cup due to injury. India also picked Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal as their two spinners ahead of senior off-spinner R Ashwin.

"Bumrah is not playing, he will take a game's break and probably come back in the second and the third game," Rohit said, explaining Bumrah's absence from the XI>

Meanwhile, Australia handed a debut to Tim David, who is playing his first T20I international for Australia after 14 matches for Singapore.