IND vs. AUS (4th T20I) – Highlights
India produced a commanding performance to seal a 48-run victory over Australia in the fourth T20I at Carrara, giving them a 3-1 lead in the series. After a competitive 167/8 in their 20 overs, India’s bowlers ran through the Australian batting lineup, restricting them to just 119 in 18.2 overs. It was a day defined by Axar Patel’s all-round brilliance, as he claimed the Player of the Match award for his contributions with both bat and ball.
IND got off to a solid start thanks to Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma. Gill anchored the innings, scoring 46 off 39 balls, while Sharma provided aggressive support with a lively 28 off 21 deliveries. Shivam Dube also made a notable impact in the middle order, scoring 22 off 18 balls, which helped India maintain a healthy scoring rate. Suryakumar Yadav, leading the side as captain, struck quickly with 20 off just 10 balls, boosting the team’s momentum during the latter stages. Axar Patel’s cameo of 21 not out of 11 deliveries was crucial in pushing India past the 160-run mark, providing a finishing flourish alongside contributions from Washington Sundar and Varun Chakravarthy. Extras and disciplined death bowling ensured India ended with a competitive total of 167/8.
AUS reply never gained traction. Mitchell Marsh top-scored with 30 off 24 balls, and Matthew Short contributed 25, but wickets fell at regular intervals, and the Australian middle order failed to build partnerships. Josh Inglis, Tim David, and Josh Philippe showed glimpses of resistance, but Axar Patel and Washington Sundar’s incisive spells dismantled the innings. Axar took 2 wickets for 20 runs, while Sundar was spectacular, claiming 3 for just 3 in 1.2 overs, including two crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs. Shivam Dube’s unexpected 2-wicket haul further tilted the game in India’s favor, highlighting India’s depth in bowling.
Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa offered minimal resistance in the tail, and by the 19th over, Australia’s innings was effectively over. The disciplined Indian bowling, combined with intelligent field placements and precise execution, left the Australian batsmen frustrated throughout. India’s all-round dominance was evident, with contributions across the board proving too much for the hosts.
Axar Patel made the day’s play by taking the game away from Australia on both ends of the bat and ball with his quick-fire in the death overs, as well as with the destruction of the batting lineup of Australia with his spin. He showed the role of the all-rounders of the T20 era. The efficiency and the timely wickets of Washington Sundar also proved that India were superior strategically. Although there were some individual performances for AUS from Marsh, Short, and David, the total team effort for Australia did not reach enough, and the bowling unit could not keep Australia in the game when they defended a small total.
IND will carry confidence into the final match of the series, knowing that their batting depth and bowling options provide a balanced combination. Australia, on the other hand, must rethink their middle-order approach and death bowling strategies if they are to salvage pride in the final T20I.
India vs. Australia Scoreboard
India – 167/8 (20)
Australia – 119/10 (18.2)
Result – India won by 48 runs
Player of the Match – Axar Patel
Axar Patel
IND vs. AUS Playing Eleven
India | Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Shivam Dube, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah |
Australia | Mitchell Marsh (c), Matthew Short, Josh Inglis (wk), Tim David, Josh Philippe, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa |
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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