India has secured a 2-1 T20 International series victory over Australia after the fifth and final match at the Gabba in Brisbane was called off due to persistent rain and lightning on Saturday. This series win serves as a significant morale booster for Suryakumar Yadav’s squad as they prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which India is set to co-host with Sri Lanka next year.
Decider Cut Short by Weather
After being asked to bat first, India’s openers, Shubman Gill (29* off 16) and Abhishek Sharma (23* off 13), provided a blistering start. The pair put on 52 runs without loss in just 4.5 overs before lightning strikes near the ground forced the players and umpires to leave the field. A heavy downpour followed shortly after, and with no improvement in conditions after a two-hour delay, officials made the decision to abandon the match.
Australia’s fielding lapses cost them early in the innings. Glenn Maxwell dropped a straightforward chance from Gill in the first over, and Ben Dwarshuis later put down a catch at fine leg, giving Abhishek Sharma a reprieve when he was on 13. Sharma capitalized on the second chance, hitting a powerful six over mid-wicket. Gill also kept the scoreboard moving rapidly, striking four boundaries off a single Dwarshuis over.
Series Reflections
The series concluded with a 2-1 scoreline in India’s favor, with both the first and fifth matches being washed out. Australia won the second T20I, but India mounted a strong comeback, winning the third match by five wickets and the fourth by a dominant 48 runs. A key performance in the fourth game came from Washington Sundar, who took three wickets in five balls to turn the match on the Gold Coast decisively in India’s favor.
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Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav praised his team’s fightback from being 0-1 down in the series. “The way everyone chipped in and the way we came back… credit to all the boys,” Yadav commented. He highlighted the effectiveness of his bowlers, noting, “Both fast bowlers and spinners know their job very well. Bumrah-Arshdeep is a lethal combination, and Washi was handy in the last game.”
Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh acknowledged the challenging weather throughout the series and congratulated the Indian team on their victory. “Can’t remember the last time we played and had so many rain interruptions. India obviously won the games when it mattered — congratulations to them,” Marsh stated. He added that there were important lessons to take away in a World Cup year.
Player of the Series
Abhishek Sharma, who was named the Player of the Series, expressed his excitement about his performance and the possibility of playing in the World Cup. “It’s my dream come true moment if I get to play the World Cup,” Sharma said. He credited the team management for his success, adding, “The captain and coach told me to express myself, and that clarity helped.”
Upcoming Fixtures
With the T20I series concluded, Australia’s focus will turn to the Ashes, which begins with the first Test against England in Perth on November 21. Meanwhile, India will prepare for a two-Test home series against South Africa, with the first match scheduled to start in Kolkata on November 14.