The highly-anticipated five-match T20I series between India and Australia is all set to get underway on Wednesday (October 29) in Canberra.

On the eve of the first T20I, India skipper Suryakumar Yadav addressed a press conference, where he said that powerplay overs will be crucial in the series and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah's presence will boost his team’s chances in that period of the match.

Suryakumar acknowledged that having Bumrah has always been an asset for his side, especially against Australia's explosive batting approach.

"Yes, it is always a challenge, we have seen how they (Australia) played in the ODI series and also in the T20 World Cup. Power play is always important," Suryakumar told reporters.

"You saw in the Asia Cup, he (Bumrah) took the responsibility of bowling 2 overs minimum in the power play, so it is good that he is raising his hand, acting as if he is that guy who will take charge. It is going to be a good challenge definitely against the Aussie team in the power play."

In India’s T20I squad, the 31-year-old Bumrah has most experience under his belt when it comes to playing in Australia, and Suryakumar said his strike bowler knows how to prepare well for a good series.

"The way he (Bumrah) has played his cricket for the last so many years, he has kept himself right on the top, and he knows how to prepare for a good series, he knows how to come and play cricket here.

"I think he has visited this country the most from all the guys, so all of the players have spoken to him, he is very open and very helpful in that. Definitely when he takes the ground it will be a good thing, good to have him in the squad, when we play in Australia."

Suryakumar also suggested that all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was ruled out of the third and final ODI due to an injured quadriceps, could feature in the T20I series opener.

"I think he is doing fine. Yesterday he did some bit of running, batting also in the nets. Today he wanted to take a break as it was an optional practice but we came to the ground because we had a team meeting and he wanted to stay with the group because T20 is new team, all the guys have come in, so he looks good."

The captain said his team sees the Australia series as a continuation of the build-up to next year's T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

"There is not much change in combination, because last time when we went to South Africa, we played with one fast bowler, one all-rounder and three spinners. The conditions are similar, bouncy tracks.

"Preparation obviously started with the Asia Cup and it will continue like this. We are not looking like we have come to a foreign country to play so we will look at this series in a different way. It's a build-up to the World Cup, but at the same time it's quite challenging as well, so I am sure it will be a good one."

Asked about the brand of cricket the team will play, Surya said, "There are always challenging conditions, when you go to Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, there is challenging cricket in all these countries. But how you adapt it and how to play shots, how to make runs, it is non-negotiable at this level."

Suryakumar Yadav said the Indian players are also working hard on fielding after the team had spilled some chances in recent matches.

"It's a part of the game, but what you do after that (poor fielding) is more important. Today was an optional session, but everyone came to field, so that means the team is working towards something really special and this is a department that I have said that we will have to work a little hard if we want to be the best fielding unit in the world.

"We are working hard on it. But there is no guarantee that if you take 25 catches today, then tomorrow it will not be dropped again. But creating intent and opportunity is important for me. If catch is dropped, there is disappointment obviously, but at the same time, if you are doing it with effort, then there is no problem."

He admitted that picking the playing XI is a difficult task as the team has so many options to rely on.

"It's a good headache with so many options, fast bowling, spinners, from top to 7th you can bat anywhere, so it's little difficult to explain to those who are not playing.

"But everyone in this team knows the goal, that is to win the match. No matter what the combination is, your goal is to win for India."

"It is only 11 people who can play, 15 cannot play. In the Asia Cup, Rinku Singh did not get the opportunity till the final, but at such a time he got the opportunity when he needed 3-4 runs to win and he hit the boundary."

(With PTI Inputs)