Melbourne, October 31 (Udaipur Kiran): Australia defeated India by four wickets in the second T20 match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Josh Hazlewood’s exceptional bowling performance — 3 wickets for just 13 runs — led the way as India were bundled out for 125 in 18.4 overs. The first match of the series was abandoned due to rain.
For India, opener Abhishek Sharma played a brilliant knock of 68 off 37 balls, but his effort went in vain as the rest of the batting order collapsed against Australia’s disciplined attack. In reply, skipper Mitchell Marsh’s aggressive 46 off 26 balls powered Australia to victory in just 13.2 overs — marking one of India’s heaviest defeats in T20I history in terms of balls remaining.
After losing the toss, India’s innings got off to a disastrous start, losing four wickets inside the powerplay. Hazlewood’s tight Test-like line and length proved too much for India’s top order as Shubman Gill (5), Sanju Samson (2), captain Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma fell cheaply, leaving the team at 40/4 in six overs.
Abhishek Sharma counterattacked brilliantly, reaching his half-century in just 23 balls. Alongside Harshit Rana (35), he stitched a crucial fifth-wicket partnership to take India past the 100-run mark. However, after the 16th over, the innings collapsed again as Xavier Bartlett and Nathan Ellis claimed quick wickets. Abhishek was trapped leg-before by Ellis, ending India’s innings at 125.
Chasing the modest target, Australia started steadily before Travis Head (28) and Mitchell Marsh accelerated. Despite late strikes from Varun Chakravarthy (2/23) and Jasprit Bumrah (2/26), the visitors comfortably sealed victory in the 14th over.
Brief Scores:
India: 125 all out in 18.4 overs (Abhishek Sharma 68, Harshit Rana 35; Josh Hazlewood 3/13, Nathan Ellis 2/21).
Australia: 126/6 in 13.2 overs (Mitchell Marsh 46, Travis Head 28; Varun Chakravarthy 2/23, Jasprit Bumrah 2/26).
Result: Australia won by 4 wickets, lead series 1-0.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
