Australia cruise to 4-wicket win over India in one-sided 2nd T20I at Melbourne

Australia secured a commanding four-wicket victory over India in the second T20I at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, chasing down a target of 126 with 40 balls to spare.

Josh Hazlewood was the Player of the Match. Image | cricket.com.au

Australia stamped their authority with a clinical four-wicket victory over India in the second T20I at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, chasing down a modest target of 126 with 40 balls to spare. Josh Hazlewood’s sensational opening spell, followed by blazing cameos from Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh, left India searching for answers as the hosts took a crucial 1-0 lead in the five-match series.​

Where to watch the match?

Cricket fans in India can watch the Australia vs India, 2nd T20I LIVE in Canberra on JioHotstar, accessible via OTTplay Premium.

Hazlewood scythes through India’s top order

After being sent in to bat by Mitchell Marsh, India faced a nightmare start. Hazlewood’s steely accuracy and sharp bounce tormented the Indian top order, with the giants of Gill (5), Samson (2), Suryakumar (1), and Tilak Varma (0) all dismissed inside the opening five overs.

Hazlewood’s figures of 3 for 13 in 4 overs set the tone for Australia, earning him Player of the Match honours.​

Abhishek Sharma stood tall

Amidst the wreckage, Abhishek Sharma provided the sole resistance, counterattacking with laudable composure. He struck a 37-ball 68, lacing eight boundaries and clearing the rope twice, keeping India afloat while wickets tumbled at the other end. He found a capable partner in Harshit Rana, who anchored one end with 35 off 33 balls as the pair stitched together a 56-run stand.​

India, however, never truly recovered from the top-order jolt, and once the 6th wicket fell at 105, the tail folded with little resistance. India’s innings folded at 125 in 18.4 overs, as Bartlett (2/39), Ellis (2/21), and Stoinis (1/24) offered excellent support to Hazlewood. Fielding lapses and two run-outs only deepened India’s woes, exemplifying a lack of composure throughout their batting effort.​

Read Also: Gill vs Jaiswal: A comparison to understand who should open for India in T20Is

Marsh and Head deal decisive early blows

Australia’s chase was all about intent and aggression. Marsh and Head launched a swift assault in the power play, taking 56 for 1 in just six overs. Head crafted a 15-ball 28 while Marsh delivered a captain’s knock, smashing 46 in 26 balls, peppered with four sixes and two fours.​

Despite losing both openers and a brief flurry of wickets to Kuldeep Yadav (2/45) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/23), Australia’s run rate never dipped alarmingly, owing to their belligerent start and steady flow of extras from the Indian bowlers.​

India’s spin fightback a faint hope

Kuldeep and Varun briefly reignited India’s hopes with middle-over strikes, including the wickets of Inglis (20), Tim David (1), and Owen (14). Jasprit Bumrah was threatening near the end, picking up two wickets in his last spell and coming close to a hat-trick. But the depth of Australia’s order and a lack of scoreboard pressure proved decisive. Stoinis and Bartlett calmly finished the chase as Australia reached 126/6 in the 14th over.

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