IND vs AUS 2nd T20I: Australia Win by 4 Wickets at MCG; Hazlewood, Marsh Lead Series to 1-0

Abhishek Sharma’s Lone Fight (68 off 37) in Vain as Josh Hazlewood-Led Bowling Attack Dismantles India for a Paltry 125. Marsh Blasts 46 in Clinical Chase.

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The second T20 International at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) ended in a dominant victory for Australia, who chased down India’s modest total with 40 balls to spare to take a crucial 1-0 lead in the five-match series. While India managed to pick up six wickets during the chase, the result was rarely in doubt after the Australian openers ensured a blazing start.

The Match in a Nutshell

The match was essentially reduced to a four-match series after the opening encounter in Canberra was washed out by rain after just 58 deliveries. The MCG, which holds great memories for the Indian team in this format, witnessed a sobering performance from the visitors.

Toss and Team News

Australian captain Mitchell Marsh continued his golden run with the coin, winning his fifth toss in five attempts and electing to field first. Australia made one change, bringing in Matt Short to replace Josh Philippe, while India stuck to their guns, fielding an unchanged XI despite speculation regarding the fitness of Arshdeep Singh. India’s decision to retain three spinners (Kuldeep, Varun, and Axar) on an Australian surface was a notable strategic choice.

• India XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah
• Australia XI: Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Tim David, Mitchell Owen, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Short, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Josh Hazlewood

India’s Batting Collapse: The Abhishek Sharma Show

India’s first innings was defined by a spectacular collapse, saved only by the aggressive counter-attack of opener Abhishek Sharma and a late contribution from Harshit Rana.

The visitors were bundled out for a tame total of 125 runs in 18.4 overs. The top order crumbled under the pressure exerted by Australia’s core bowling unit, led by an exceptional spell from Josh Hazlewood (3/13 in 4 overs). Hazlewood did the early damage, claiming the crucial wickets of Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), and Tilak Varma cheaply. Nathan Ellis (2/21) and Xavier Bartlett (2/39) also contributed with two wickets apiece.

Amidst the wreckage, Abhishek Sharma was the standout performer, scoring a blazing 68 off just 37 balls, an innings laced with 8 fours and 2 sixes. He found a dependable partner in Harshit Rana (35 off 33 balls), and the duo stitched a 56-run partnership for the sixth wicket to pull India from a disastrous position of 49/5. However, with nine Indian batters failing to reach double digits, the innings ended well short of a competitive total.

Australia’s Clinical Chase

Chasing 126, Australia’s openers, Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head, launched a brutal assault that effectively killed the contest in the powerplay. Marsh continued his powerful form, top-scoring with a blistering 46 off 26 balls, while Head contributed a quickfire 28 off 15 balls.

Although India’s bowlers managed to restore some respectability by claiming six wickets, the task was far too small for the home side to falter seriously. Spinners Kuldeep Yadav (2 wickets) and Varun Chakravarthy (2 wickets), along with paceman Jasprit Bumrah (2 wickets), shared the wickets. Bumrah managed a consolation double-strike towards the very end, removing Mitchell Owen and then bowling Matthew Short for a duck. However, the Aussies romped home with an overwhelming 40 balls to spare, securing a commanding four-wicket victory.

This series opener is a clear indication that Suryakumar Yadav’s squad has “a lot to think about” regarding their batting approach on fast Australian wickets.