India’s long-standing dominance at the Melbourne Cricket Ground came to a dramatic halt as Australia outclassed the visitors in the second T20I, winning by four wickets and 40 balls to spare.
India, sent in to bat, collapsed to a meager 125, failing to last their full 20 overs. Josh Hazlewood’s devastating 3/13 spell tore through the top order, while Mitchell Marsh’s 46 off 26 balls ensured a swift chase. The defeat marks India’s first T20I loss at the MCG since 2008.
Vice-captain Shubman Gill and skipper Suryakumar Yadav were both undone by Hazlewood’s precision, while Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma failed to stabilize the innings. Harshit Rana and Abhishek Sharma offered brief resistance, stitching a 60-run stand, but the total proved insufficient.
India’s bowlers, including Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy, showed flashes of brilliance, but Marsh and Travis Head’s opening blitz sealed the deal early. With the series now 1-0 in Australia’s favor, India faces a must-win situation in Hobart on November 2.
