Australia vs India, 2nd T20I: Australia clinched a 4-wicket win at the MCG to seal the series 2-0. Despite Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 68 off 37 balls, India were bowled out for 125 as Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Ellis starred with the ball. Mitchell Marsh’s 46 and Travis Head’s quickfire start powered Australia’s chase inside 14 overs. (Image Credit: DNA)
Australia vs India, 2nd T20I: Australia chased down India's modest total of 125 with ease to win the second T20I by 4 wickets at MCG and take a 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Early fireworks from Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head set up the chase for the hosts, as despite a spirited fightback from Indian bowlers, Australia won the second T20I by four wickets.
India's innings never really got going after being put in to bat. There was a dramatic collapse for skipper Suryakumar Yadav's side as wickets kept falling in clusters against a disciplined Australian attack.
The lone warrior for India was Abhishek Sharma, who smashed a fluent 68 off 37 balls, studded with 8 fours and 2 sixes. His positive intent in the Powerplay propelled India to 40/1 after the first six overs, but once he fell, the innings went downhill rapidly.
Josh Hazlewood bowled superbly with 3/13, as did Nathan Ellis, with 2/21, finding the pace and purchase in the MCG pitch.
Apart from Abhishek, only debutant Harshit Rana (35 off 33) showed some fight in the lower order, guiding India past the 100-run mark with his mature innings. Eventually, the visitors folded up for 125 in 18.4 overs.
Australia's bowlers were merciless right from over number one. Hazlewood's immaculate line and length saw the back of Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma on the cheap.
Nathan Ellis’ variations, particularly smart, then really dented the India middle order, while Xavier Bartlett picked two crucial wickets late in the innings for 2/39. The fielding was on point, too, with Tim David and Josh Inglis involved in key wickets to the Indian team to a below-par total.
Australia's reply got off to a blistering start with Mitchell Marsh (46 off 26) and Travis Head (28 off 15) adding 51 runs in just 4.3 overs. Both batters attacked India's pacers, punishing anything short or wide.
The timely breakthroughs by Varun Chakaravarthy (2/23) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/45) brought India into the contest briefly as Marsh, Head and Inglis fell.
However, with the required rate always under control, Marcus Stoinis (6*) and Xavier Bartlett (0*) saw Australia home calmly in 13.2 overs, finishing at 126/6.
For a low score, Jasprit Bumrah-2/26 and Varun Chakaravarthy bowled with purpose. Bumrah's precision in the death overs delayed the inevitable. Varun was among wickets that kept the Aussie middle order in check. However, the lack of runs on the board meant India could not sustain pressure for long. The visitors will now head into the third T20I needing a win to avoid a whitewash.
