PITCH REPORT: Aaron Finch is down at pitchside, taking a close look at the surface. He reckons it’s a well-balanced track good news for both batters and bowlers. The overcast skies and a bit of chill in the air mean the seamers should get some early movement. Not much there for the spinners, though, so they’ll need to rely on tight lines and disciplined bowling. Finch also mentions the surface might slow down a touch as the match wears on, but overall, it’s a solid wicket good bounce, even carry, and a fair contest on the cards tonight.
Team Players Key Notes India (Unchanged XI) Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (WK), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah India sticks with the same XI from the previous game Australia (Playing XI) Mitchell Marsh (C), Travis Head, Josh Inglis (WK), Tim David, Mitchell Owen, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Short, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Josh Hazlewood Matthew Short replaces Josh Philippe in the lineup
TOSS – Well, no surprises as India have lost yet another toss. Australia have elected to BOWL first.
India Vs Australia 2nd T20I- 1ST INNING
1ST OVER– 1/0
A tight start from the bowlers, just a single run from the opening over. India off the mark at 1 without loss, with the run rate ticking at 1.00.
2ND OVER– 18/0
End of the second over, India off to a flying start! They’ve raced to 18 without loss, scoring at a brisk 9 runs per over.
WICKET: Shubman Gill is out! Hazlewood finally breaks through after troubling Gill all day. He bowls a full delivery outside off stump, and Gill attempts to loft it down the ground but mistimes it. Marsh covers his ground and backtracks to take a neat reverse-cupped catch at mid-off. Gill departs for 5 runs off 10 balls without hitting any boundaries.
Sanju Samson walks out at No. 3
3RD OVER– 22/1
End of the third over, India reach 22 for 1. Four runs added in this over, keeping a steady run rate of 7.33.
WICKET: And he’s gone! Ellis strikes again, and it looks like he’s got Samson caught in his sights for the third time. But hold on Samson isn’t out of this just yet. He’s reviewing the decision. The length ball jagged in slightly from outside off, and it’s beaten Samson’s all-around play, drawing all around the off-stump. The ball hits him above the knee roll on his back pad, and the umpire’s finger goes up. It’s quite close, ball-tracking confirms, it crashes into middle stump! India lose Sanju Samson for a duck, and the decision is upheld after the review. Samson’s quick push up the order doesn’t pay off today as Ellis strikes again.
And now it is Suryakumar Yadav at No. 4
4TH OVER– 32/2
India move to 32 for 2 at the end of the 4th over. Ten runs come off it, but they’ve lost two early wickets. The run rate stays healthy at 8 a over.
WICKET: Hazlewood steams in to Suryakumar… and he’s gone! Hazlewood finally gets his man! After surviving one delivery earlier, SKY falls the very next ball. A peach of an outswinger just outside off, and Suryakumar pokes at it with leaden feet.. edge flies, Inglis grabs it cleanly behind the stumps. India lose their third inside the powerplay, and the Aussies are right on top!
Tilak Verma the next man in..
WICKET: Hazlewood steams in to Tilak Varma… up it goes straight up in the air! Inglis calls for it, runs across to his right, and takes a smart catch! Tilak’s gone for a duck, just two balls faced. Hazlewood is on fire in the powerplay, ripping through the Indian top order!
Axer Patel Comes In..
5TH OVER– 33/4
End of the 5th over, just a single run added, but India in deep trouble at 33 for 4. The run rate is healthy at 6.6, yet the wickets keep tumbling early on.
6TH OVER– 40/4
End of the sixth over, India reach 40 for 4. Just 7 runs added in the over as the bowlers keep up the pressure. The scoring rate stands at 6.66 runs per over.
7TH OVER– 47/4
End of the 7th over, India move to 47 for 4. Seven runs come off the over, the run rate steady at 6.71.
WICKET: Axar drills that full ball through the covers, almost a stunning grab there as the fielder dives full stretch to his left! They think about the third run, but there’s hesitation… direct hit coming in… and Axar’s gone! A sharp piece of fielding from David and Inglis finishes it off. Axar Patel run-out for 7 off 12.
HARSHIT RANA COMES IN..
8TH OVER– 50/5
Tight bowling continues! India crawl to 50 for 5 at the end of 8 overs. Just 3 runs added in that over, and another wicket fallspressure piling on the batting side with a run rate of 6.25.
9TH OVER– 56/5
End of the 9th over, India manage 6 runs from it. The score moves to 56 for 5, with the run rate at 6.22. The batters are struggling to rebuild after an early collapse.
10TH OVER– 69/5
End of the 10th over, India reach 69 for 5. Thirteen handy runs came off that one, keeping the scoreboard ticking despite the early setbacks. Current run rate stands at 6.90.
11TH OVER– 74/5
End of the 11th over, India move to 74 for 5. Only five runs coming off that over as the pressure continues to build on the batting side. The run rate stands at 6.72.
12TH OVER– 83/5
End of the 12th over, India move to 83 for 5. Nine runs come off the over, with the run rate ticking along at 6.91.
13TH OVER– 92/5
End of the 13th over, 9 runs added to the total. India move to 92 for 5, scoring at 7.07 runs per over.
14TH OVER– 96/5
India move cautiously as the 14th over comes to an end, just 4 runs added. The scoreboard reads 96 for 5, with the required run rate starting to climb.
15TH OVER– 105/5
End of the 15th over, India move to 105 for 5. Nine runs come off the over as they look to rebuild with the run rate steady at 7 an over.
WICKET: Bartlett bangs it in short and wide, Rana goes for the big one but doesn’t get the timing right! Toe-ends it straight to long-on where David makes no mistake. Harshit Rana departs for 35 off 33 balls, a fighting knock with three fours and a six, but he couldn’t take it further!
Shivam Dube joins Abhishek Sharma in the middle..
WICKET: Bartlett to Dube, OUT! Brilliant bit of bowling and an even better catch! Short of a length on leg stump, it straightens just enough as Dube tries to fend it off. Thick edge flies to the left of Inglis, he dives full stretch and grabs a stunning catch! Bartlett roars in delight, and Dube’s quick cameo comes to an end.
Kuldeep Yadav in at No. 9
16TH OVER– 109/7
End of the 16th over, India struggling at 109 for 7. The innings has lost momentum, and the lower order now carries the responsibility to steady things.
WICKET: OUT! Kuldeep falls for a duck! Stoinis bangs it in short and angles it across, Kuldeep goes for the pull but mistimes it badly. Abbott, the sub fielder at midwicket, dives forward and takes a superb low catch! Excellent effort in the field. Kuldeep Yadav c (sub SA Abbott) b Stoinis 0 (6 balls).
Varun Chakravarthy is out there ahead of Bumrah..
17TH OVER– 110/8
End of the 17th over, just a single run added and another wicket down. India struggling at 110 for 8, scoring at 6.47 runs per over.
18TH OVER– 125/8
End of the 18th over, 15 valuable runs for India! The lower order showing intent as they push the total to 125 for 8. The current run rate now sits at 6.94, and every run counts in these closing moments.
WICKET: Abhishek Sharma is gone, dismissed LBW by Ellis! The umpire is not hesitant, it’s right down the leg side, a perfect yorker that struck Abhishek on the front toe. The ball-tracking shows it crashing into the middle stump. What a sensational innings from Sharma 68 runs off just 37 balls with 8 fours and 2 sixes, at a strike rate of 183.78. His innings added serious respectability to India’s total today, but he’ll be disappointed not to have faced more deliveries. A fantastic knock that deserved a longer stay at the crease.
WICKET: Ellis to Bumrah… OUT! A full delivery outside off, Bumrah taps it towards point and sets off, but hesitates! Chakravarthy is halfway down before stopping, confusion all around! Ellis quickly swoops in, picks up the ball calmly, and walks to the stumps to whip off the bails. Bumrah is stranded well short, no effort to dive even! India’s innings folds in dramatic fashion for just 125.
18.4 OVER– 125/ ALL OUT
India Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shubman Gill | c Mitchell Marsh b Josh Hazlewood | 5 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Abhishek Sharma | lbw b Nathan Ellis | 68 | 37 | 8 | 2 | 183.78 |
| Sanju Samson (Wk) | lbw b Nathan Ellis | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Suryakumar Yadav (C) | c Josh Inglis b Josh Hazlewood | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 25.00 |
| Tilak Varma | c Josh Inglis b Josh Hazlewood | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Axar Patel | run out (Tim David) | 7 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 58.33 |
| Harshit Rana | c Tim David b Xavier Bartlett | 35 | 33 | 3 | 1 | 106.06 |
| Shivam Dube | c Josh Inglis b Xavier Bartlett | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 200.00 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | c sub b Marcus Stoinis | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Varun Chakaravarthy | not out | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Jasprit Bumrah | run out (Nathan Ellis) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
Extras: 3 (W2, B1)
Total: 125 all out in 18.4 overs
Fall of Wickets: 1-8 (Gill), 2-76 (Samson), 3-77 (Suryakumar), 4-77 (Tilak), 5-90 (Axar), 6-98 (Abhishek), 7-108 (Dube), 8-118 (Kuldeep), 9-125 (Harshit), 10-125 (Bumrah)
It’s been a rollercoaster of a first half here at the MCG! Once again, Suryakumar Yadav lost the toss, and Australia opted to bowl, a decision that paid off immediately. Their pacers were on the money from ball one, mixing pace and precision to keep India on the back foot. Abhishek Sharma gave India a fiery start with some crisp boundaries, but Gill never quite settled, falling soon after a close LBW scare. The momentum slipped quickly as Samson and Suryakumar both fell cheaply, undone by Australia’s relentless bowling discipline.
Tilak Varma hardly got time to breathe before joining the walk back. From 18 without loss to 40 for 4 in the Powerplay, India’s bright start evaporated in no time. Marsh’s captaincy was spot on with bowling changes working like a charm and fielders catching everything that came their way. Only Abhishek stood tall amid the collapse, blasting a brilliant 68 off 37, making batting look effortless while others struggled. India eventually stumbled to 125 all out, a total that feels well short on this surface. A storm of wickets, a spark of brilliance, and Australia firmly on top at the halfway mark!
Mitch Marsh and Travis Head make their way to the middle, ready to chase a modest target set by India. The Australian openers look composed, but India’s pace attack is fired up, eager to strike early and turn the game on its head. The stage is set for an intriguing battle, can India script another dramatic comeback at a venue where they once pulled off one of their most memorable turnarounds in this format?
India Vs Australia 2nd T20I- 2ND INNING
1ST OVER– 4/0
Australia are off to a steady start, collecting 4 runs from the opening over. The openers are taking their time to settle in, keeping wickets intact. The current run rate stands at 4.00, while they still need 122 runs from 114 balls to chase down the target.
2ND OVER– 11/0
End of the second over, Australia move to 11 without loss. Seven runs from that over, and the openers are settling in nicely. The current run rate is 5.50, with the required rate at 6.38. They need 115 more runs from 108 balls.
3RD OVER– 29/0
Australia off to a flying start! After 3 overs, they’re cruising at 29 without loss. The openers are timing it beautifully, keeping the chase well under control. They now need 97 more runs from 102 balls with the required rate down to 5.70.
4TH OVER– 49/0
End of the 4th over, Australia are cruising at 49 without loss. The openers look in complete control, scoring at a brisk 12.25 runs per over. They now need just 77 more runs from 96 balls, with the required rate comfortably down to 4.81.
WICKET: Varun Chakaravarthy to Travis Head- OUT! What a catch by Tilak Varma! Varun gives it some air, full and around off. Head steps back looking to go downtown, but he miscues it badly. Tilak Varma at long-on races to his left, takes it cleanly, realizes he’s losing balance near the ropes, tosses the ball in the air, steps out, and comes back in to complete a stunning catch! The replays confirm it’s clean. Head departs for 28 off 15 balls. Australia 51 for 1 in pursuit of 126.
5TH OVER– 51/1
5 overs gone, the score moves to 51 for 1. They pick up a couple of runs off that over, keeping the scoreboard ticking nicely.
6TH OVER– 56/1
Six overs gone, five runs added in this over, the score moves to 56 for the loss of one wicket.
7TH OVER– 67/1
Over number 7, the batters keep the scoreboard moving, 11 runs come off it. The score now stands at 67 for 1.
WICKET: Kuldeep Yadav to Mitchell Marsh, and he’s got him! Tossed up beautifully, the googly tempting Marsh into the big shot. He goes down on one knee looking to launch it straight, but he doesn’t quite get under it. Mistimes it high into the night sky, Abhishek Sharma charges in from long off… and takes a clean catch! A crucial strike from Kuldeep right at the end of the over. Marsh goes for a blazing 46 off just 26 balls. Australia 87 for 2, still needing 39 more runs to seal the chase.
8TH OVER– 87/2
End of the 8th over, Australia move to 87 for 2. A fiery phase with 20 runs coming off it, keeping the chase well on track. The required rate now just 3.25, with 39 needed from 72 balls.
WICKET: Varun to David, out! A soft dismissal, David tries to defend the googly on the front foot, but it pops straight back off the bat’s face. Varun sticks out his hands and takes a simple return catch! He celebrates as David walks back, undone by the turn. Tim David gone for 1 off 2 balls, strike rate 50.
9TH OVER– 92/3
End of the 9th over, Australia move to 92 for 3. Five runs came off the over, but they also lose a wicket. The required rate is under control at 3.09, with just 34 needed from 66 balls.
10TH OVER– 104/3
Australia race to 104 for 3 at the halfway mark after 10 overs, a lively start with quick runs on the board despite losing a few wickets.
11TH OVER– 110/3
End of the 11th over, Australia move to 110 for 3. Six runs came off that over. The chase looks well under control, just 16 needed from 54 balls with the required rate down to 1.77.
WICKET: Kuldeep to Inglis… gone! Quicker through the air, Inglis hangs back trying to work it off the back foot, misses it completely! India go upstairs right away. Looked like it might’ve pitched outside leg… but hold on, it’s in line! Ball-tracking shows three reds, hitting leg stump! What a review by India! Inglis has to walk back, and Kuldeep strikes again, his second of the match!
Marcus Stoinis strides out..
12TH OVER– 121/4
Australia cruising here! They collect 11 runs off the over but lose a wicket in the process. Still comfortably placed at 121 for 4 after 12 overs, just 5 runs needed from 48 balls, run rate steady at 10.08.
WICKET: outside edge… and taken cleanly by Samson behind the stumps! Bumrah roars in celebration, he knows there’s a nick on that one! The umpire stays still for a moment—oh, now the finger goes up! Owen isn’t convinced, he sends it upstairs. UltraEdge rolls in… and yes, there’s a clear spike as the ball passes the bat! The decision stays, OUT! Bumrah strikes again, adding another name to his wicket tally!
Matthew Short comes out to the middle now.
WICKET: Bumrah charges in… and he’s done it again! Clean bowled! That’s sheer brilliance from Jasprit Bumrah, who’s now on a hat-trick! A fiery yorker right in the blockhole — on off and middle — and Matthew Short had no chance. Tried to dig it out, but the ball sneaks under the bat and smashes into the stumps! A golden duck for Short, and Australia are reeling here. Bumrah is on fire!
Xavier Bartlett walks out to face the hat-trick ball.
13TH OVER– 124/6
WICKET: Full and just outside off, shaping away beautifully! Owen throws his hands at it, looking to drive through the covers, there’s a sound, a late appeal, and the umpire’s finger goes up… after a long pause! Owen chats with Stoinis and sends it upstairs. Snicko shows the faintest of edges. yes, there’s a spike! Bumrah breaks through with a classic setup.
WICKET: Bumrah to MW Short, OUT!
What absolute brilliance from Jasprit Bumrah! First ball, and he fires in a searing yorker right on middle at 137 clicks. Short has no chance, too quick, too straight, and the stumps are rattled! Bumrah is on fire and now stands on the verge of a hat-trick!
End of the 13th over, just three runs added, but Australia lose two key wickets in quick succession. The score now stands at 124 for 6. The required rate is barely a concern, just two runs needed from 42 balls.
13.2 OVER– 126/6
Australia won by 4 wickets (with 40 balls remaining)
What a dominant show from Australia! From the very first ball, they had India on the back foot. Josh Hazlewood set the tone early, ripping through the Indian top order.. Gill, SKY, and Tilak all sent packing before they could settle. Abhishek Sharma tried to fight back with a gritty knock, looking like he was batting on a completely different pitch. But in the end, his effort went in vain as the rest of India’s lineup just couldn’t keep up.
Once Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh got going, the chase was never in doubt. Australia raced past fifty by the fifth over, and from there, it was all smooth sailing. The six-wicket margin doesn’t tell the full story, this was total control from Australia, right from start to finish.
Also Read: India Vs Australia T20 Live Score | 1st T20I | No Results
