India Secures Series Lead Against Australia in 4th T20I
NEW DELHI: India showcased a strong bowling performance to defeat Australia by 48 runs in the fourth T20 International held at Carrara Oval, Queensland, on Thursday. This victory gave India an unassailable 2-1 lead in the five-match series, demonstrating strong leadership under captain Suryakumar Yadav.
Bowling Stars Shine
After setting a modest target of 167 for 8, India’s bowlers excelled. Washington Sundar’s incredible final spell (3/3) and effective middle-over spells by Axar Patel (2/20) and Shivam Dube (2/20) hindered Australia’s progress. Despite a decent start, Australia stumbled to a total of just 119 runs in 18.2 overs.
Collapse After a Strong Start
Australia began strongly, reaching 37 runs within the first five overs. However, Axar Patel turned the tide by bowling out Matthew Short (25 off 19), opening the gates for a collapse. Dube followed suit, taking two wickets in quick succession, which left Australia reeling at 91/4.
Player of the Match Performance
Axar’s performance was pivotal, as he exploited the slow pitch effectively. “I just held my position and bowled wicket to wicket,” he noted after being named Player of the Match. Washington Sundar sealed the match with a superb performance, claiming three wickets for just three runs.
Australia’s Struggles and Reflections
Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh acknowledged India’s superior adaptation to the conditions. He remarked on the challenges of the pitch and emphasized the need for strong partnerships, which ultimately were lacking in Australia’s innings.
Consistency in India’s Batting
India’s batting display was steady but lacked explosive momentum. Openers Abhishek Sharma (28 off 21) and Shubman Gill (46 off 39) established a solid foundation, but a series of quick wickets stifled their efforts. Although Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa each took three wickets, India managed to post a competitive total thanks to late contributions from Axar Patel.
Upcoming Final Match in Brisbane
The series now shifts to Brisbane for the final T20I on Saturday, where India aims to maintain its unbeaten record in T20I series on Australian soil. Meanwhile, Australia seeks to recover before the forthcoming World Cup build-up.
