In a stunning display, Josh Hazlewood’s exceptional bowling performance and Mitchell Marsh’s explosive batting propelled Australia to a commanding four-wicket victory over India in the second T20I at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Hazlewood’s masterclass saw him claim 3-13 and deliver 15 dot balls in a destructive opening spell, restricting India to 125 all out in front of a packed crowd of 82,438 spectators.
Leading from the front, Captain Marsh hammered 46 runs off 26 deliveries and formed a crucial 51-run partnership with Travis Head at the top of the order, guiding Australia to chase down the target with 40 balls to spare. With the series opener in Canberra washed out due to rain, Australia now holds a 1-0 lead going into the third match in Hobart on Sunday.
Abhishek Sharma was the standout performer for India, scoring a brilliant 68 off 37 balls, showcasing his talent with a notable half-century on Australian soil. However, Sharma was one of the few Indian batsmen to make an impact on a lively pitch that offered considerable pace and movement.
Opting to field after winning the toss, Marsh’s decision paid off as Hazlewood struck early, unsettling the Indian top order. Hazlewood’s fiery bowling saw him remove key batsmen, including Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav, leaving India reeling at 32 for four by the end of his spell. Hazlewood’s stellar performance earned him the well-deserved man-of-the-match accolade.
Despite a resilient effort from Sharma and Harshit Rana, who contributed 35 runs, India’s innings unraveled as Xavier Bartlett and Nathan Ellis picked up crucial wickets to restrict India’s total. With sharp catching from the Australian fielders, including a diving effort by wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, India’s hopes of posting a competitive score were dashed.
Australia’s comprehensive victory showcased a blend of exceptional bowling, solid batting, and sharp fielding, setting the stage for an exciting remainder of the series.