AUS vs IND 2nd T20I: Australia Clinch Commanding Win To Take 1-0 Lead. Australia comfortably defeated India by four wickets in the second T20I at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, taking a 1-0 advantage with the first of five matches abandoned in Canberra.
Batting first, India could not get going on a seaming MCG pitch. Abhishek Sharma was the only real positive, scoring a brisk 68 off 37 balls with six fours and four sixes. The rest of the Indian batting order fell into place as the wickets fell in groups. Starting from a position of 49/5, the tourists were bowled out for 125 runs in 18.4 overs. Harshit Rana’s late contribution of 35 gave India some respect, but the total was not competitive.
Hazlewood and Marsh shine for Australia
Josh Hazlewood was the mainstay of Australia’s bowling, returning figures of 3 for 13, while Nathan Ellis took 2 for 21. Both bowlers were disciplined and controlled and did not allow India to build after the poor start.
Chasing 126, Australia went off to a good start with Mitchell Marsh scoring 46 off 26 balls, which included four sixes and two fours. Travis Head (28) and Josh Inglis (20) ensured that there were no shocks as the home side. They successfully chased the target in 13.2 overs with 40 balls remaining.
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For India, their loss shed light on concerns over their brittle middle order and their ability to adjust to Australian conditions. Captain Suryakumar Yadav said after the match that “poor shot selection and execution” had been the downfall of their team. With Australia taking a series lead, India will seek to respond quickly when the teams meet again in the third T20I in Sydney on Sunday.
