India wrapped up a rain-interrupted T20 series against Australia with a 2–1 win, gaining a morale boost ahead of the ICC Twenty20 World Cup, which it will co-host with Sri Lanka early next year.
The fifth and final match at The Gabba on Saturday night ended in a washout after lightning and persistent rain halted play. India had made a flying start, racing to 52 without loss in 4.5 overs, when the weather forced players and officials off the field. The match was eventually abandoned more than two hours later without another ball being bowled.
Shubman Gill led India’s aggressive start, smashing six boundaries in his 29 off 16 deliveries, while Abhishek Sharma, who survived two early chances, remained unbeaten on 23 off 13 balls, including a powerful flat-batted six over mid-wicket.
This was the second washout of the series, after the opening game in Canberra on October 29 was abandoned after 9.4 overs. India had earlier taken an unassailable 2–1 lead with a 48-run win on the Gold Coast on Thursday, where Washington Sundar turned the match on its head by taking three wickets in five deliveries, crushing Australia’s chase.
Both sides had used the series to experiment with line-ups and strategies in preparation for the upcoming global tournament. Now, their focus shifts to red-ball cricket — Australia gearing up for the Ashes opener against England in Perth on November 21, and India set to host South Africa for a two-Test series starting November 14.
Australia’s decision to field first in the final game backfired early on, as sloppy fielding compounded their troubles. Skipper Mitch Marsh’s side dropped two simple catches, giving India the early advantage.
Glenn Maxwell spilled a straightforward chance in the opening over when Abhishek miscued a Ben Dwarshuis delivery at mid-off — a miss that proved costly as Gill drove the next ball straight down the ground for four.
Dwarshuis endured more punishment in his next over, conceding four boundaries as Gill continued to dominate on both sides of the wicket. Abhishek was handed a second reprieve on 13 when he mistimed a faster ball from Nathan Ellis, only for Dwarshuis to drop another catch at fine leg. The left-hander capitalized by ending the over with a big six — his first of the series.
After the abandoned opener, Australia won the second T20, before India rallied with consecutive victories in Games 3 and 4 to clinch the series. The result reversed the momentum from the preceding ODI series, which Australia had claimed 2–1 after winning the first two matches.
As the teams now shift focus to longer formats, India’s clinical all-round show and batting depth under Shubman Gill’s leadership have provided valuable confidence ahead of the world event.
With inputs from AP
The fifth and final match at The Gabba on Saturday night ended in a washout after lightning and persistent rain halted play. India had made a flying start, racing to 52 without loss in 4.5 overs, when the weather forced players and officials off the field. The match was eventually abandoned more than two hours later without another ball being bowled.
Shubman Gill led India’s aggressive start, smashing six boundaries in his 29 off 16 deliveries, while Abhishek Sharma, who survived two early chances, remained unbeaten on 23 off 13 balls, including a powerful flat-batted six over mid-wicket.
This was the second washout of the series, after the opening game in Canberra on October 29 was abandoned after 9.4 overs. India had earlier taken an unassailable 2–1 lead with a 48-run win on the Gold Coast on Thursday, where Washington Sundar turned the match on its head by taking three wickets in five deliveries, crushing Australia’s chase.
Both sides had used the series to experiment with line-ups and strategies in preparation for the upcoming global tournament. Now, their focus shifts to red-ball cricket — Australia gearing up for the Ashes opener against England in Perth on November 21, and India set to host South Africa for a two-Test series starting November 14.
Australia’s decision to field first in the final game backfired early on, as sloppy fielding compounded their troubles. Skipper Mitch Marsh’s side dropped two simple catches, giving India the early advantage.
Glenn Maxwell spilled a straightforward chance in the opening over when Abhishek miscued a Ben Dwarshuis delivery at mid-off — a miss that proved costly as Gill drove the next ball straight down the ground for four.
Dwarshuis endured more punishment in his next over, conceding four boundaries as Gill continued to dominate on both sides of the wicket. Abhishek was handed a second reprieve on 13 when he mistimed a faster ball from Nathan Ellis, only for Dwarshuis to drop another catch at fine leg. The left-hander capitalized by ending the over with a big six — his first of the series.
After the abandoned opener, Australia won the second T20, before India rallied with consecutive victories in Games 3 and 4 to clinch the series. The result reversed the momentum from the preceding ODI series, which Australia had claimed 2–1 after winning the first two matches.
As the teams now shift focus to longer formats, India’s clinical all-round show and batting depth under Shubman Gill’s leadership have provided valuable confidence ahead of the world event.
With inputs from AP
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