A tension-filled loss in the first T20I confirmed for India the first rule of touring Australia; never underestimate the opposition. No matter how depleted the Australian squad may be or how much chaos surrounds the National team, the players will give their all on the field. Many sides touring Australia have failed to observe the rule that should be etched on their boarding pass; try to win every game, especially those leading up to the first Test.

The last touring side that obeyed that principle was Andrew Strauss's England side in 2010-11. Their enterprise in the warm-up matches was an influencing factor in an eventual 3-1 Test series victory.