Australia Crush India by Four Wickets in Dominant T20 Win in Melbourne
Melbourne, Australia —
Australia delivered a commanding all-round performance to defeat India by four wickets inside 14 overs, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match T20 International series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
In a match that showcased Australia’s bowling brilliance and batting firepower, the home side made light work of India’s modest total of 125, sealing victory with 40 balls to spare and setting the tone for the remainder of the series.
India’s Struggles with the Bat
After being sent in to bat first by Australian captain Mitchell Marsh, India endured a nightmare start under overcast Melbourne skies. The pitch offered just enough movement and bounce to trouble the top order, and Josh Hazlewood made full use of the conditions to dismantle India’s batting lineup.
Hazlewood struck early and struck hard, removing Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma in quick succession to leave India reeling at 32 for 4 inside the powerplay. His superb spell of 3 for 13 in four overs broke the visitors’ backbone before they could settle.
With the ball seaming and swinging, India’s batters struggled to find their rhythm. Suryakumar Yadav, who captained India in the absence of Hardik Pandya, looked to counterattack but fell to a sharp delivery that nipped back in. Tilak Varma followed soon after, edging to slip as Hazlewood continued his relentless accuracy.
Abhishek Sharma Fights Back with Flair
In a sea of collapses, Abhishek Sharma stood tall. The left-handed opener played with maturity and aggression, launching a spirited counterattack that momentarily lifted India’s hopes.
His innings of 68 runs off 37 balls, laced with eight fours and three sixes, was a display of clean hitting and precise shot selection. From deft touches behind point to lofted drives over extra cover, Abhishek showed glimpses of the form that has made him one of India’s most promising young T20 batters.
When wickets kept tumbling around him, Abhishek found a reliable partner in Harshit Rana. The pair added 56 runs for the sixth wicket, taking India from 49 for 5 to a somewhat respectable total. Rana, better known for his bowling, chipped in with a valuable 35 off 24 balls, rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries.
Just when it seemed India might push past 140, Xavier Bartlett broke the stand, dismissing Rana with a mistimed loft to long-on. That wicket opened the floodgates once again.
Abhishek continued to fight, but his dismissal in the 19th over — trapped LBW by Nathan Ellis — ended India’s resistance. Moments later, Jasprit Bumrah was run out off the very next ball, closing the innings at 125 all out in 18.5 overs.
Australian Bowlers Dominate Early
Australia’s bowling attack was disciplined and devastating. Hazlewood, the spearhead, was near-unplayable in his opening spell, generating both seam and swing movement. His ability to maintain tight lines forced India’s batters into errors.
Nathan Ellis (2 for 21) provided excellent support through the middle overs, using clever variations and pace changes to stifle India’s scoring. Meanwhile, Xavier Bartlett (2 for 39) chipped in with timely breakthroughs, including the crucial wicket of Harshit Rana that halted India’s recovery.
Australia’s fielding was sharp too — diving stops, quick throws, and sharp catching prevented India from stealing easy singles or building partnerships.
By the time the innings ended, India’s 125 looked well below par on a good batting surface.
Mitchell Marsh Sets the Tone for the Chase
Chasing 126, Australia came out with intent. Captain Mitchell Marsh led from the front, smashing 46 off 26 balls in a powerful display that left Indian bowlers searching for answers.
Marsh combined brute force with elegant timing, punishing anything short or wide. His straight drives and pull shots echoed around the MCG as he raced past 40 in no time.
At the other end, Travis Head, fresh off his heroics in recent series, provided steady support with a quickfire 28 off 20 balls, ensuring Australia maintained a brisk scoring rate. The pair added 51 runs for the opening wicket, effectively sealing the contest within the first six overs.
India’s spinners tried to pull things back, and Kuldeep Yadav eventually removed Marsh, who mistimed a lofted shot to Abhishek Sharma at mid-off. But by then, Australia were cruising at 79 for 2, needing less than a run-a-ball to win.
Minor Middle-Order Hiccups, But No Real Threat
After Marsh’s dismissal, Australia’s middle order stumbled briefly. Glenn Maxwell, returning to T20 international action, departed cheaply, followed by Marcus Stoinis, who top-edged a sweep shot.
However, the modest target meant there was never any real scoreboard pressure. Even as wickets fell in quick succession, Tim David (14 not out) and Matthew Wade (11 not out) calmly guided Australia home with 40 balls remaining.
The hosts finished at 126 for 6 in 13.2 overs, underlining the gulf between the two teams on the day.
Player of the Match: Josh Hazlewood
Unsurprisingly, Josh Hazlewood was named Player of the Match for his outstanding new-ball spell that dismantled India’s top order. His figures of 3 for 13 not only set up the victory but also reaffirmed his reputation as one of the world’s most reliable T20 bowlers.
“Everything clicked today,” Hazlewood said after the match. “We wanted to attack early and make use of the conditions, and it worked perfectly. The batters then did their job efficiently.”
India Left Searching for Answers
For India, it was a night of frustration and missed opportunities. The batting collapse once again highlighted their dependence on the top order, while the bowlers struggled to find early breakthroughs.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav admitted his team was outplayed. “We didn’t put enough runs on the board,” he said. “Abhishek played beautifully, but we needed more partnerships. Our bowlers tried their best, but 125 was never going to be enough.”
With key players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Hardik Pandya rested for this series, India’s younger squad will need to regroup quickly before the next match.
Series Outlook
This victory gives Australia a 1-0 lead in the five-match T20 series, after the opening game in Canberra was abandoned due to rain. The third T20 will take place in Hobart on Sunday, where India will be desperate to bounce back and level the series.
For Australia, the confidence from this emphatic win could carry them through the remainder of the series. Their balanced combination of experienced campaigners and emerging stars appears well-suited to home conditions.
Meanwhile, India’s management faces tough questions: should they tweak the batting order, or bring in extra spin options to exploit slower surfaces? With young players eager to prove their worth ahead of future ICC tournaments, the next few matches will be crucial.
Key Highlights at a Glance
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India: 125 all out in 18.5 overs
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Abhishek Sharma – 68 (37 balls)
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Harshit Rana – 35 (24 balls)
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Josh Hazlewood – 3/13
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Nathan Ellis – 2/21
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Xavier Bartlett – 2/39
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Australia: 126/6 in 13.2 overs
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Mitchell Marsh – 46 (26 balls)
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Travis Head – 28 (20 balls)
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Kuldeep Yadav – 2/22
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Result: Australia won by 4 wickets
Series: Australia lead 1-0
Next Match: 3rd T20 in Hobart, Sunday