IND v AUS: India’s batting collapses as Australia finish 17-year T20I streak at MCG


Too many experiments? A uncommon off day with the bat? India’s assume tank and batting unit endured an evening to neglect on the Melbourne Cricket Floor on Friday, 31 October. Despatched in to bat, India have been bundled out for simply 125, failing even to occupy the crease for his or her full quota of 20 overs. Australia made mild work of the modest goal, chasing it down with 40 balls and 4 wickets to spare, courtesy of captain Mitchell Marsh’s 26-ball 46 and Travis Head’s brisk begin on the prime.

For the primary time since 2008, India slumped to a T20I defeat on the MCG, bringing their four-match profitable run on the iconic venue to an abrupt finish. It was a complete efficiency from Australia, who outplayed India in all three departments in a match that lasted solely 13.2 overs of their innings.

Josh Hazlewood demonstrated as soon as once more why he’s rated among the many best T20I bowlers on the earth, claiming three wickets in a devastating opening spell that shredded the Indian prime order. Taking part in his remaining recreation of the collection earlier than returning to preparations for the Ashes, Hazlewood rattled Suryakumar Yadav and his males on an overcast night, getting the brand new ball to zip previous unsure bats.

AUS vs IND 2nd T20I Highlights

In distinction, India’s tempo spearhead Jasprit Bumrah struggled to extract any help from the floor later within the night time, permitting Marsh and Head to get off to a flying begin. Harshit Rana, chosen forward of Arshdeep Singh, contributed with the bat however proved costly with the ball after being requested to share the brand new ball duties. The Kolkata Knight Riders pacer conceded 27 runs in his first two overs, permitting Australia to grab early management of the chase.

Harshit, promoted to bat at No. 7 after showcasing his batting prowess in an ODI in Adelaide earlier this month, stitched collectively India’s largest partnership of the innings with Abhishek Sharma (56 off 47). Coming collectively at 49 for five, the pair added very important runs to stem the collapse. Harshit scored a preventing 35 off 33, however whether or not his bowling struggles outweighed his batting contributions might be a part of the tactical autopsy for India’s assume tank.

Bumrah struck twice in as many balls in his remaining over, although by then the competition was all however determined. Considered one of his deliveries – a searing yorker that uprooted Matthew Brief’s stumps – was a reminder of his class, albeit a contact too late to affect the consequence.

Spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav claimed two wickets apiece, however their efforts weren’t sufficient to convey India again into the competition after Marsh and Head’s blistering 51-run opening stand in simply 29 deliveries. India merely didn’t have the runs to exert scoreboard strain on the hosts, who coasted to the goal to take a 1-0 lead within the five-match collection.

After the washed-out opening T20I in Canberra, Australia’s dominant show in Melbourne was a press release of intent — one which left the Indian supporters at a sold-out MCG dissatisfied and subdued.

– ends

Printed By:

Rishabh Beniwal

Printed On:

Oct 31, 2025