AUS vs IND (3rd T20I) – Highlights
India produced another statement of intent in their T20 journey with a commanding five-wicket victory over Australia in the third T20I at Hobart. It was a night of dazzling power-hitting, clever death bowling, and clutch temperament, the kind of combination that has lately become India’s winning signature in white-ball cricket.
AUS innings was a curious mix of chaos and carnage. After being rocked early at 14 for 2, Tim David and Marcus Stoinis launched a counterattack of brute force and clean hitting. David’s 74 off 38 balls was a timely reminder of his destructive potential, while Stoinis matched him blow for blow with 64 from 39. Their 109-run partnership transformed a shaky start into a total of 186 for 6, a score that seemed above par on a used Hobart pitch.
However, IND bowlers, led by Player of the Match Arshdeep Singh, managed to contain the damage just enough to keep the target chaseable. Arshdeep’s 3 for 35, including the prized wickets of Head, Inglis, and Stoinis, broke the spine of AUS momentum. Varun Chakravarthy supported him ably with two scalps, while Bumrah’s economy of 6.5 was a silent weapon in the middle overs.
In reply, IND top order came out with clear intent. Abhishek Sharma’s 25 off 16 set the tone, while Shubman Gill and Captain Suryakumar Yadav maintained a rapid tempo. Yadav’s 24 from just 11 balls was a vintage cameo audacious, inventive, and short-lived, as he miscued a slower ball from Stoinis. The chase wobbled briefly when Axar Patel and Tilak Varma fell in quick succession, reducing India to 145 for 5. But that only set the stage for Washington Sundar’s heroics.
Sundar, often viewed as a bowling all-rounder, played an innings of exceptional control and confidence. His unbeaten 49 from 23 deliveries showcased both timing and temperament, featuring clean strikes over cover and midwicket. Alongside him, Jitesh Sharma’s brisk 22 off 13 ensured that the asking rate never spiraled out of reach. The duo stitched an unbroken 43-run partnership, sealing victory with nine balls to spare a testament to India’s growing depth and composure in high-pressure chases.
Australia’s bowlers, meanwhile, struggled for rhythm. Nathan Ellis was the only bright spot, claiming three wickets, including those of Abhishek, Gill, and Axar, but his efforts were undercut by wayward support from others. Sean Abbott and Marcus Stoinis leaked runs in the death overs, and even the spinners found little grip on a flat surface under lights.
The win gave India another morale boost in their T20 transition phase, where a younger core is beginning to define results. For Australia, the series has exposed their over-reliance on power-hitting in the middle order and their inability to close out innings with the ball.
Australia vs India Scoreboard
Australia – 186/6 (20)
India – 188/5 (18.3)
Result – India won by 5 wickets (with 9 balls remaining)
Player of the Match – Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep Singh
AUS vs IND Playing XIs
Australia | Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (c), Josh Inglis (wk), Tim David, Mitchell Owen, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Short, Xavier Bartlett, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Matthew Kuhnemann. |
India | Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shivam Dube, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah. |
Disclaimer: The following match highlights are based on the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider these perspectives and form their own conclusions.
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