T20I: Australia defeat India by four wickets

WEB DESK: Australia defeated India by four wickets in the second T20I at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, comfortably chasing down a target of 126 in 13.2 overs to take a 1–0 lead in the five-match series. Despite a few late strikes from Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav, the hosts never looked under pressure. Bumrah produced a fiery spell, taking two quick wickets, dismissing Mitchell Owen for 14 and yorking Matthew Short first ball, but the modest target proved too small to defend. Earlier, Kuldeep had also claimed two wickets, including Josh Inglis for 20, as India attempted to claw their way back through spin.

However, Marcus Stoinis remained composed and struck the winning runs with a drive through the covers for two, sealing victory with 40 balls to spare. A crowd of over 82,000 witnessed Australia’s dominant all-round display, led earlier by Josh Hazlewood’s bowling and a solid start from the top order that set up the chase.

The chase began steadily as Marsh and Travis Head gave Australia an explosive start. Head flicked Jasprit Bumrah for a four and then launched Harshit Rana for consecutive boundaries and a six, racing to 28 off 15 before falling to spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who took a smart return catch at long-off.

Marsh, joined by Josh Inglis, maintained the momentum. Inglis struck a towering six straight down the ground off Varun, while Marsh punished Kuldeep Yadav with a massive hit over midwicket. Their partnership kept the asking rate below five runs per over as Australia reached 66 for 1 after seven overs.

Despite occasional turn for the spinners, Marsh’s control and timing ensured there were no jitters in the chase. Finishing unbeaten, he anchored the innings with composure as Australia crossed the line comfortably, sealing the match — and the series — with overs to spare.

It was a complete performance by the Australian side, whose bowlers, led by Josh Hazlewood earlier in the day, had restricted India to a modest total before the batsmen finished the job in style.

With the first match abandoned due to rain, Australia are eyeing a dominant performance to seal the contest. Skipper Mitchell Marsh’s decision to field first proved spot on. Australia’s bowlers, led by Josh Hazlewood, dominated India’s innings in the third T20I, with Hazlewood’s superb 3 for 13 virtually sealing the game early. He dismantled India’s top order and could have claimed another wicket if not for a missed slip chance off Abhishek Sharma. Abhishek fought back with a 56-run stand alongside Harshit Rana, who unusually faced most of the deliveries, limiting India’s scoring momentum. Abhishek’s inventive stroke play and clever use of the field kept India afloat, but their total still fell short of expectations.

Hazlewood set the tone with a fiery new-ball spell, troubling Shubman Gill from the very first over. Gill survived an early lbw scare but soon fell for 5, mistiming a lofted drive to mid-off. Sanju Samson’s promotion to No. 3 backfired, trapped lbw by Ellis after just four deliveries. The carnage continued when Suryakumar Yadav, India’s captain, edged behind for one, followed two balls later by Tilak Varma’s duck, both victims of Hazlewood’s immaculate outswing.

Only Abhishek Sharma showed resistance, racing to 24 off nine balls with three fours and a six, counterattacking against Ellis and Bartlett. But with wickets tumbling at the other end, India’s hopes of a strong total now rest heavily on the lower middle order.

Both teams wore black armbands in tribute to teenaged Australian cricketer Ben Austin, with a moment of silence held before play began.

India entered the match unchanged, sticking to their aggressive batting-first approach, while Australia brought in Matt Short for Josh Philippe. With Hazlewood in peak form and the hosts dominating early, India face a steep climb to post a competitive total in what could prove a decisive encounter in the three-match series.