India Secures 48-Run Victory Over Australia in Fourth T20 International

India's Dominant Bowling Leads to Series Advantage

In a gripping fourth T20 International, India showcased an impressive bowling display to secure a 48-run victory against Australia, taking a commanding 2-1 lead in the five-match series on Thursday.

Key contributors to India's success were Axar Patel and Shivam Dube, each claiming two wickets that significantly hindered Australia's chase.

Washington Sundar added to the pressure with three wickets late in the innings, as India successfully defended a total of 168, dismissing Australia for 119 in just 18.2 overs, despite the hosts being well-placed at 91/3 at one point.

The series will conclude with the final T20 match scheduled in Brisbane on November 8, following a rain-affected opening match in Canberra.

Australia's innings began with openers Matthew Short (30 off 24) and Mitchell Marsh (25 off 19) providing a solid start, but a series of wickets during the middle overs derailed their progress.

Axar's dismissal of Short during the powerplay was pivotal, and Dube's quick strikes against Marsh and Tim David (14 off 9) further tilted the game in India's favor.

Arshdeep Singh also contributed with a wicket, and the match seemed sealed when Glenn Maxwell's stumps were shattered by Varun Chakaravarthy's final delivery of his fourth over.

India's batting performance was less than stellar, finishing with a modest 167 for eight after a lackluster powerplay.

Abhishek Sharma (28 off 21) and Shubman Gill (46 off 39) formed a 56-run opening partnership, but the team struggled to maintain momentum thereafter.

Shivam Dube, promoted to bat at number three to counter Adam Zampa, managed only 22 runs off 18 balls, while captain Suryakumar Yadav (20 off 10) was dismissed after hitting two sixes.

Nathan Ellis emerged as the standout bowler for Australia, taking 3 wickets for 21 runs in 4 overs, effectively utilizing his variations.

Zampa, despite conceding 45 runs in his four overs, claimed three crucial wickets, including that of the dangerous Abhishek.

Abhishek initially struck Zampa for a six but was caught shortly after attempting another big hit.

He was nearly dismissed on the second ball of the match by left-arm pacer Ben Dwarshuis, but Xavier Bartlett dropped the catch.

Gill, still seeking to make a mark in the series, had to grind for his runs, hitting a significant six off Marcus Stoinis before falling to a slower delivery from Ellis.

As wickets continued to tumble, Axar Patel (21 not out off 11) managed to hit some boundaries towards the end, pushing India's total past 160.

Despite losing four wickets for just 42 runs in the final five overs, India's exceptional bowling ensured they crossed the finish line.