SPORTS DESK: India Crumbles: Australia’s Easy Chase Seals T20 Win
India’s tour of Australia hit a rough patch in Melbourne as the visitors slumped to a four-wicket loss in the second T20I, handing the hosts a 1-0 series lead.
A top-order meltdown restricted the team to a modest 125 all out, which Australia overhauled comfortably in just 13.2 overs.
This defeat, following a rain-washed opener, puts pressure on Suryakumar Yadav’s side ahead of the Hobart decider.
Toss and Early Woes
Australia’s captain Mitchell Marsh called correctly at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and chose to field first on a pitch favoring pace.
India’s innings unraveled almost immediately, with the top four crumbling for a paltry 24 runs inside the powerplay.
Shubman Gill edged behind for 5, Sanju Samson poked at a wide one for 2, skipper Suryakumar Yadav dragged on for 1, and Tilak Varma was bowled for a duck.
The collapse left India reeling at 40/4, exposing the fragility of their batting lineup against sharp seam movement.
Only Abhishek Sharma’s fearless counterattack offered any resistance, smashing 68 off 37 balls with eight fours and two sixes to haul the score past 100.
Rescue Efforts Fall Short
Sharma found a willing ally in debutant Harshit Rana, who contributed a gritty 35 to forge a crucial 50-run stand for the eighth wicket.
Yet, the lower order couldn’t build further, as India folded in 18.4 overs. Australia’s bowlers, led by Josh Hazlewood’s miserly 3/13, exploited the conditions ruthlessly, with Nathan Ellis and Xavier Bartlett claiming two scalps apiece.
Australia’s Power-Packed Pursuit
Chasing 126, Australia’s openers Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh tore into the attack, racing to 51 without loss in under six overs.
Head blazed 28 off 15 before holing out, while Marsh anchored with a brisk 46 off 26, including four boundaries and three sixes.
India clawed back momentarily, snaring four wickets for 30 runs in the middle phase, but the platform proved too solid.
Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakaravarthy shone with two wickets each, while Kuldeep Yadav added another.
Tim David and Marcus Stoinis steadied nerves amid a late wobble, steering Australia home with 40 balls unused and six wickets down.
Path to Redemption
This result marks only the 13th time India has been bowled out in T20Is, a stark reminder of their vulnerability Down Under.
With the series now a best-of-four affair, all eyes turn to November 2 in Hobart, where a fired-up Indian unit will aim to level terms.
Australia’s clinical display underscores their World Cup credentials, setting up a compelling rivalry.
Fans are left pondering: Can India’s young guns regroup, or will Australia’s seamers continue to dominate? The tour’s narrative hangs in the balance, blending heartbreak with hope.