IND vs AUS 2nd T20I Highlights: Australia produced a commanding performance at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, registering a four-wicket win over India in the second T20I of the ongoing India tour of Australia 2025. Despite a late fightback from the Indian bowlers, the hosts remained in control throughout the contest, comfortably chasing down the target to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series, after the first T20I was washed out.
Australia’s Dominance From the Start
Winning the toss, Mitchell Marsh opted to bowl first under the lights at the MCG, and it turned out to be a decision that shaped the game. The Australian bowlers, led by Josh Hazlewood, tore through India’s top order with relentless accuracy and bounce.
Hazlewood dismissed Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma, reducing India to a fragile position early in the innings. His spell set the tone for the match, leaving India on the back foot right from the powerplay.
Abhishek Sharma Fights a Lone Battle
While wickets kept tumbling at one end, Abhishek Sharma showcased immense composure and class to anchor India’s innings. He played with confidence, timing the ball beautifully on a surface that seemed to trouble others. His strokeplay against the pacers stood out as he looked like batting on a different wicket altogether.
However, with little support from the middle and lower order, India could only manage a modest total. Despite Sharma’s valiant knock, the visitors never really found momentum, as the Australian bowlers kept striking at regular intervals.
Hazlewood Leads the Charge
Josh Hazlewood was the undisputed star with the ball, finishing as the top wicket-taker of the match. His fiery opening spell dismantled India’s top order and ensured the visitors never recovered fully. Supported by Nathan Ellis and Marcus Stoinis, Australia maintained constant pressure through disciplined bowling and sharp fielding.
Hazlewood’s figures not only underline his class in the shortest format but also his knack for delivering in crucial games — a major reason why India failed to post a competitive total.
Marsh and Head Set the Tone in Chase
In reply, Australia came out all guns blazing. Openers Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh launched a blistering counterattack, making full use of the powerplay. Their aggressive intent took India by surprise, as both batsmen targeted the shorter boundaries and poor deliveries with authority.
Marsh, in particular, looked in ominous touch, smashing two massive sixes — one off Harshit Rana and another off Kuldeep Yadav — that effectively broke India’s spirit early in the chase. By the fifth over, Australia had already crossed the 50-run mark, signaling that the match might be over sooner than expected.
India’s Bowlers Try to Make a Comeback
Despite a strong start from Australia, India found some respite when Varun Chakravarthy removed Travis Head and Kuldeep Yadav dismissed Marsh in quick succession. This brief phase saw the visitors claw back slightly, taking a few more wickets to keep the crowd engaged.
However, the damage had already been done. The chase, which began with such intensity, meant that even a few stumbles in the middle order didn’t affect the final outcome. Australia’s deep batting ensured that they reached the target comfortably, sealing the victory with several balls to spare.
Shivam Dube’s Unbeaten Streak Ends
This loss also marked the end of Shivam Dube’s unbeaten streak in T20Is that had stretched since 2019. Dube, who had played a vital finishing role in recent matches, couldn’t make an impact in this game as India’s batting collapsed early. His dismissal further dented India’s hopes of putting up a fighting total.
Match Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | Australia vs India, 2nd T20I, India Tour of Australia 2025 |
| Venue | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne |
| Toss | Australia won the toss and elected to bowl |
| Result | Australia won by 4 wickets |
| Series Status | Series level 1-1 |
| Top Run Scorer (India) | Abhishek Sharma – 40+ (approx, fought lone battle) |
| Top Run Scorer (Australia) | Mitchell Marsh – quickfire 40s |
| Top Wicket Taker (Australia) | Josh Hazlewood – 3 wickets |
| Top Wicket Taker (India) | Kuldeep Yadav / Varun Chakravarthy – 2 wickets each |
Turning Points of the Match
- Hazlewood’s early breakthroughs dismantled India’s top order, setting up the match.
- Abhishek Sharma’s counterattack briefly revived Indian hopes but lacked support.
- Marsh and Head’s powerplay blitz virtually sealed the game inside the first six overs.
- Late wickets created a bit of drama but were too little, too late for India.
Final Thoughts
Australia showcased their dominance in familiar conditions with a complete performance. From Hazlewood’s precision bowling to Marsh and Head’s fearless batting, it was a team effort that outclassed India in all departments.
For India, there were a few positives — particularly Abhishek Sharma’s impressive batting and Kuldeep Yadav’s ability to pick key wickets — but concerns remain about their top-order consistency and approach during the powerplay. With Australia now leading the five-match series 1-0 after the first T20I was washed out, India will look to bounce back strongly in the third T20I to keep the series alive.