Hazlewood’s Fiery Spell, Marsh’s Brisk 46 Power Australia to Four-Wicket Win Over India in 2nd T20I
Melbourne, October 31 (TheTrendingPeople.com): Australia took a 1-0 lead in the five-match T20I series after a commanding four-wicket victory against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Friday. The hosts chased down a modest target of 126 with 40 balls to spare, thanks to a clinical bowling display led by Josh Hazlewood (3-13) and a composed batting effort from skipper Mitchell Marsh (46 off 26 balls).
Despite a late fightback from India’s bowlers, Australia’s early momentum and Marsh’s authoritative innings ensured a comfortable finish in what turned out to be a one-sided contest.
Hazlewood Dismantles India’s Top Order
Australia’s win was built on the back of Josh Hazlewood’s devastating opening spell, which ripped through India’s top order and left them struggling in the Powerplay. Extracting bounce and seam movement off the surface, Hazlewood bowled with relentless precision to finish with impressive figures of 3 for 13 in his four overs.
India’s innings never recovered after losing four wickets inside the first six overs. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav, Shubman Gill, and Tilak Varma were among Hazlewood’s victims as the visitors stumbled to 45/4 by the end of the Powerplay.
Nathan Ellis (2-21) and Marcus Stoinis (1-10) complemented Hazlewood perfectly, ensuring that India was bowled out for just 125 in 18.4 overs, despite a valiant fightback from Abhishek Sharma.
Abhishek Sharma Fights Lone Battle
The only bright spot in India’s innings was Abhishek Sharma, who produced a superb counterattacking knock of 68 off 43 deliveries, featuring eight fours and two sixes.
Abhishek displayed exceptional timing and composure under pressure, mixing aggression with placement to counter Australia’s pace attack. His innings prevented India from collapsing further and injected some respectability into the total.
He was well supported by Harshit Rana (35 off 33), who was promoted up the order. The duo added 56 runs for the seventh wicket, helping India recover from a precarious 49/6.
However, once Rana fell to Xavier Bartlett (2-32) and Abhishek was trapped lbw by Ellis, India’s lower order folded quickly. Apart from the Abhishek-Rana partnership, India’s remaining batters managed a combined total of just 22 runs.
Australia’s Commanding Chase
In reply, Australia’s openers Travis Head (28) and Mitchell Marsh (46 off 26) got the hosts off to a blistering start, scoring freely against India’s seamers.
India’s premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah endured a rare off-day, conceding 18 runs in his second over, including a series of boundaries that handed momentum to Australia early in the chase.
The following over from Harshit Rana compounded India’s misery — a no-ball and two consecutive sixes meant Australia raced to 44/0 in just four overs.
Even though India’s spinners Varun Chakaravarthy (2-23) and Kuldeep Yadav (2-45) provided some resistance with timely wickets, the target was too low to defend.
Chakaravarthy removed the dangerous Travis Head thanks to a stunning boundary catch from Tilak Varma, who showcased athletic brilliance by tossing the ball up, stepping outside the boundary rope, and returning to complete the catch.
Kuldeep then dismissed Marsh, who mistimed an expansive shot to long-off, but the damage was already done. His over, though, turned out to be his most expensive in T20Is, leaking 20 runs.
Tim David (10), Josh Inglis (5), and Matthew Short (0) fell in quick succession, but Marcus Stoinis (15*) held his nerve to take Australia home in 13.2 overs.
India’s Bowling: Too Little, Too Late
While the spin duo of Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep briefly gave India a chance to stage a comeback, the lack of scoreboard pressure meant Australia’s chase never truly looked in danger.
Bumrah managed to dismiss Mitchell Owen and Matthew Short late in the innings, but the early onslaught had already sealed India’s fate.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav’s mid-innings bowling changes failed to make much impact, and India’s fielding lapses further dented their comeback hopes.
Summary: Australia Dominate in All Departments
Australia outplayed India in every aspect — bowling, batting, and strategy — to secure a comfortable win and take an early advantage in the series. The margin of victory reflected not just Australia’s superior execution but also India’s lack of adaptability under the lively MCG conditions.
For India, the positives were few beyond Abhishek’s mature knock, while the team will need to rethink its batting order and Powerplay approach before the third T20I.
Brief Scores:
India: 125 all out in 18.4 overs (Abhishek Sharma 68, Harshit Rana 35; Josh Hazlewood 3-13, Nathan Ellis 2-21)
Australia: 126/6 in 13.2 overs (Mitchell Marsh 46, Travis Head 28; Varun Chakaravarthy 2-23, Kuldeep Yadav 2-45)
Result: Australia won by 4 wickets; lead series 1–0
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
Australia’s clinical all-round performance at the MCG underscored their dominance in high-pressure situations. Josh Hazlewood’s early strikes and Mitchell Marsh’s attacking captaincy proved decisive, as India’s batting once again faltered in seaming conditions.
With the series still wide open, India will look to regroup and bounce back stronger in the next game. To stay competitive, they will need sharper top-order execution and more discipline with the ball in the Powerplay.
For now, it’s advantage Australia — efficient, confident, and ahead in the series.