New Delhi: Australia stormed to a commanding four-wicket victory against India in the second T20 International on Friday, chasing down a modest target of 126 with plenty to spare.
The hosts wrapped up the game with 40 balls left, going 1-0 up in the series after the opener was abandoned due to rain.
India’s innings never gained momentum on a tricky pitch, folding for just 125 in 18.5 overs. Opener Abhishek Sharma provided the only real fireworks, blasting a whirlwind 68 off 42 balls to keep his side afloat. Lower down the order, Harshit Rana chipped in with a gritty 35 from the number seven spot, but the rest of the batting line-up crumbled.
Top-order stars like Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube all failed to catch fire, leaving India well short of a competitive total.
Australia’s bowlers, led by Josh Hazlewood, set the tone early. The veteran pacer terrorised India’s top order in the powerplay, picking up key wickets and etching his name in the record books as the leading wicket-taker in T20 internationals.
In reply, Travis Head and skipper Mitchell Marsh tore into the Indian attack from the start. The opening pair raced to 50 in a mere four overs, with Head smashing 28 off 15 before falling. Marsh took centre stage, hammering 46 out of 26 deliveries — including two boundaries and four towering sixes — before his dismissal. Despite a late fightback from India’s bowlers, the damage was done.
Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy bowled with fire, trying desperately to defend the small total. Bumrah conceded only 26 runs in his four overs while claiming two wickets, and Chakravarthy was even tighter, giving away 23 for his pair. Kuldeep Yadav grabbed two scalps too but proved expensive. Harshit Rana, the hero with the bat, struggled with the ball, leaking 27 in two overs.
This marked Australia’s first T20 win on home soil against India in nearly five years — the last coming in Sydney back in December 2020. It was their 12th victory overall against the Men in Blue in the format.
The series now stands at 1-1, with the decider looming. India will rue another batting collapse, while Australia head into the third tie brimming with confidence.