Continuing their dominant run in T20 Internationals, India sealed a 2–1 series win over Australia in anticlimactic fashion after the fifth and final T20I at the Gabba in Brisbane was abandoned due to heavy rain and thunderstorms.
After being put in to bat, the focus was on how India’s top order handles the Gabba’s trademark bounce and carry despite Australia missing their lead pacer Josh Hazlewood as he continued preparations for the Ashes. However, India’s openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill came up with a brisk start, racing to 52 in just 4.5 overs before rain stopped play.
Abhishek had a couple of reprieves after being dropped twice, while Gill looked in sublime touch, cracking 29 off just 16 deliveries. The series ended as it began, under the shadow of rain after the opener in Canberra was also washed out. Australia had dominated the second game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, led by a fiery spell from Hazlewood.
However, India fought back strongly, with their spinners tightening the grip on slower surfaces in Hobart and the Gold Coast to secure the series. The visitors now return home in high spirits ahead of their T20 World Cup title defence on home soil.
“The way everyone chipped in every game, it was a complete team effort with the bat, ball and in the field,” India captain Suryakumar Yadav said.
“I saw what happened with the women’s team winning the World Cup in India, having unbelievable support. When you play at home, there is pressure, but at the same time, there is a lot of excitement.”
For Australia, it was their final T20I assignment before the World Cup. While their aggressive batting against quality spin came under the microscope, the focus remains on the upcoming Ashes.
“I don’t think I can remember the last time we had so many rain interruptions,” said Australia captain Mitchell Marsh. “I think there are a lot of learnings to take forward, a lot of positives. The flexibility of our group and the squad that we’re trying to build in a World Cup year has been amazing.”
Earlier, Marsh’s luck with the toss continued, but his smiles faded quickly once India’s openers got off to a flying start. Left-arm pacer Ben Dwarshuis bore the early brunt as Abhishek lifted a boundary over mid-off from the fourth ball of the innings. He tried to repeat the shot on the next delivery but miscued it high into the air, only for Glenn Maxwell, stationed at mid-off, to drop a regulation catch, much to the disbelief of the bowler.
While Abhishek lived dangerously, Gill was flawless in shot selection, striking four boundaries off Dwarshuis’ second over. It was the kind of fluent form that had eluded him for much of the tour, which began with an ODI series loss in his captaincy debut, and he appeared eager to finish on a positive note.
Abhishek, on 11, survived another scare when Dwarshuis spilled a catch running in from fine leg before the batter compounded Nathan Ellis’ frustration by hammering him over midwicket for six. But the weather gods had other plans, with lightning forcing players off the field. Moments later, torrential rain followed, dashing hopes of a restart and disappointing a sold-out crowd that had packed the Gabba for the series finale.