India: India took a significant 2-1 lead in their T20 series against Australia with a commanding 48-run victory on the Gold Coast. The visitors, sent in to bat after losing the toss, managed to post a total of 167-8. Shubman Gill’s composed 46, along with crucial contributions from Abhishek Sharma (28) and Shivam Dube (22), laid the foundation for India’s innings.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Indian bowlers dominated the Australian batting lineup, dismissing them for just 119 runs. Washington Sundar was the standout performer, claiming 3 wickets for just 3 runs in eight balls, effectively sealing the match for India.
Australian captain Mitchell Marsh reflected on the match, stating, “I thought 167 was par on that wicket. But batting was pretty hard — we had a few partnerships but we just couldn’t get the big one that would give us momentum going into the back end of the innings.”
Despite a promising start, with Australia reaching 67-1 in the ninth over, their innings fell apart quickly. The Indian team will now proceed to Brisbane, aiming to secure the five-match series after the initial game in Canberra was abandoned due to rain.
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav praised his bowlers, commenting, “I think the bowlers did really well. There was a little bit of dew but they adapted really quickly. I think the combination (of our bowlers) suits us really well and bowling a side out is what we want from them.”
India’s innings appeared promising as openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill aggressively tackled the Australian bowlers, accumulating 56 runs in just 6.4 overs. However, Abhishek’s attempt to hit a second consecutive six resulted in a catch by Tim David at long-on, while Dube and Gill faced challenges against the pace attack, leading to their dismissals by Nathan Ellis.
Australia’s openers, Marsh and Matthew Short, started positively, but India’s bowlers steadily dismantled the lineup, maintaining pressure and taking key wickets to ensure a comfortable victory.