Suryakumar Yadav Lauds Josh Hazlewood’s Spell, Praises Abhishek Sharma After India’s Four-Wicket Loss at MCG
Melbourne, November 1 (TheTrendingPeople.com): India’s stand-in T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav had words of appreciation for Australia’s pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood, whose fiery three-wicket spell dismantled India’s top order in the second T20I at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Friday. Despite a valiant counterattack from young batter Abhishek Sharma, India succumbed to a four-wicket defeat, allowing Australia to take a 1–0 lead in the five-match series.
Before a packed MCG crowd, India’s batting order faltered under the relentless pressure of Hazlewood’s pace and movement, setting the tone for what turned into a one-sided contest.
Event Overview: Australia Bounce Back to Take Series Lead
Put in to bat first on a green-top surface under lights, India were undone by Hazlewood’s spellbinding Power-play burst, which saw the visitors lose four wickets within the first six overs. The 33-year-old pacer used the conditions perfectly, mixing seam movement with steep bounce to finish with 3 for 13 in four overs, effectively derailing India’s plans for a solid start.
India were bundled out for 125 in 18.4 overs, with only Abhishek Sharma showing resistance through a spirited 68 off 43 balls, laced with eight fours and two sixes.
Australia, in reply, chased down the target in just 13.2 overs, with Mitchell Marsh leading from the front with a quick-fire 46 off 26 balls. Despite some late breakthroughs from India’s spinners, the hosts reached the finish line comfortably, registering a four-wicket win with 40 balls to spare.
Key Moments: Hazlewood’s Precision, Abhishek’s Counterattack
The defining phase of the match came early when Hazlewood removed both Shubman Gill and Tilak Varma in quick succession during the Power-play. His ability to swing the ball both ways and extract extra bounce left India reeling at 45/4 within the first six overs.
Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson fell cheaply, struggling to cope with the pace and movement. The Australian bowlers — led by Hazlewood and supported by Nathan Ellis (2-21) and Marcus Stoinis (1-10) — kept India on the back foot throughout the innings.
Just when India seemed headed for a collapse under 100, Abhishek Sharma launched a spirited counterattack. The 23-year-old left-hander played with maturity beyond his years, picking gaps with precision and targeting loose deliveries. His partnership of 56 runs with Harshit Rana (35 off 33 balls) helped India avoid complete embarrassment.
However, once Abhishek fell lbw to Ellis in the 17th over, India’s lower order folded quickly, leaving Australia with an easy chase.
Australia’s Commanding Reply
Chasing a modest 126, Australia wasted no time asserting dominance. Openers Travis Head (28 off 17) and Mitchell Marsh (46 off 26) combined aggression with calculated risk-taking to put India’s bowlers under pressure.
An uncharacteristic 18-run over from Jasprit Bumrah in the third added to India’s woes, followed by Harshit Rana’s expensive fourth over, which went for 20 runs, including two towering sixes.
Although Varun Chakaravarthy (2-23) and Kuldeep Yadav (2-45) picked wickets to stem the flow of runs momentarily, Australia’s depth in batting ensured there were no late hiccups.
Marcus Stoinis (15 not out) and Josh Inglis (5) took the team home with ease, securing the win in the 14th over.
Reactions: Suryakumar Yadav Praises Hazlewood and Abhishek
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Suryakumar Yadav acknowledged Hazlewood’s exceptional spell as the key difference-maker in the contest.
“Absolutely — the way he bowled in the Power-play, if you’re four down early, it’s always difficult to recover from that. Credit goes to him. Well bowled to him, he bowled really well,” said Suryakumar.
The Indian skipper also reserved high praise for Abhishek Sharma, whose fearless batting stood out on an otherwise difficult night for India.
“Abhishek has been doing this for quite some time now. He knows his game, knows his identity, and it’s good he’s not changing it — that’s what’s brought him success. Hopefully, he sticks with it and plays many more knocks like this for us,” Suryakumar added.
Hazlewood, who was named Player of the Match, credited the MCG pitch and the team’s bowling strategy for his success.
“There was good movement early on. We wanted to hit the deck hard and make use of the bounce. It was about bowling in the right channels, and it worked perfectly tonight,” Hazlewood told broadcasters.
Historical Context: MCG Continues to Challenge India
Friday’s result marked yet another setback for India at the MCG in T20 internationals. Despite winning the series opener in Sydney earlier this week, India have traditionally struggled to adapt to the pace-friendly Australian conditions.
The loss echoed India’s earlier struggles during their 2020–21 tour, where they were similarly troubled by movement off the seam in the early overs.
With the third T20I scheduled for November 2 in Hobart, Suryakumar and his men will look to regroup quickly and level the series.
Impact: Australia Gain Momentum, India Seek Redemption
Australia’s victory not only gives them a 1-0 lead in the series but also provides a morale boost ahead of the crucial middle games. Their disciplined bowling, coupled with Marsh’s confident leadership, reaffirmed their dominance in home conditions.
For India, the defeat highlights two key areas of concern — fragile top-order performance against the new ball and inconsistent bowling in the Power-play. Despite flashes of brilliance from Abhishek Sharma and Varun Chakaravarthy, the team’s inability to build partnerships or contain runs proved costly.
Suryakumar emphasized the need for India to return to their aggressive batting template, particularly if batting first.
“We need to do the same thing that we did in the first game — bat really well if we’re batting first, put nice runs on the board, and then come out and defend,” the skipper said.
Conclusion: Lessons and the Road Ahead
India’s loss at the MCG serves as a reminder that consistency and adaptability remain vital in foreign conditions. Hazlewood’s masterclass in seam bowling exposed India’s vulnerability against the moving ball, while Abhishek Sharma’s brilliance provided a silver lining in defeat.
As both teams head to Hobart for the third T20I, India will look to find balance in their lineup, possibly reassessing their batting order and bowling combinations. For Australia, maintaining momentum and building on their confidence will be key as they eye an early series advantage.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
The second T20I at Melbourne was a game of contrasts — Josh Hazlewood’s precision versus Abhishek Sharma’s counterattack, experience versus youth, dominance versus defiance.
While Australia walked away with a convincing win, India’s emerging stars showed glimpses of promise that could yet turn the tide in Hobart.
For Suryakumar Yadav’s men, the message is clear: learn fast, fight back, and play fearless cricket — the hallmark of Team India’s modern identity.