India Secures Victory Over Australia in Fourth T20 Match
India Triumphs in T20 Series Against Australia
In a thrilling encounter at the Carrara Oval in Canberra, India defeated Australia by 48 runs in the fourth T20 match, taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. The night proved challenging for the batsmen, but the bowlers, led by Washington Sundar, who claimed three crucial wickets, ensured a comfortable victory for the visitors. Earlier, India's batting lineup struggled to find rhythm, managing to score 167/8 against Australia. A stellar performance from all-rounder Axar Patel helped the team reach a competitive total after a middle-order collapse.
Match Highlights
India managed to score 46 runs in the final six overs while losing six wickets. After winning the toss, Australia opted to bowl first. The Indian opening pair of Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma scored 49 runs in the first six overs, but their start was not as explosive as usual. Sharma contributed 28 runs off 21 balls, hitting three fours and a six before being dismissed by Adam Zampa. Promoted to number three, Shivam Dube added 22 runs from 18 balls, including a four and a six, before being bowled by Nathan Ellis.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav looked dangerous with 20 runs off 10 balls but fell cheaply, while Tilak Varma (5) and Jitesh Sharma (3) failed to make an impact. Washington Sundar chipped in with 12 runs off 7 balls before becoming Ellis's third victim. Axar Patel played a vital innings at the end, scoring an unbeaten 21 runs off 11 balls, which included a four and a six, helping India reach 167/8. Nathan Ellis was the standout bowler for Australia, taking three wickets for 21 runs, while Adam Zampa also impressed with three wickets for 45 runs. Javier Bartlett and Marcus Stoinis each took one wicket.
Australia's Chase Falls Short
Chasing a target of 168 runs, Australia started well with Mitchell Marsh and Matthew Short adding 37 runs for the first wicket. However, the innings fell apart after Short's dismissal. Axar Patel struck twice in quick succession, putting the host team on the back foot. Marsh fought hard to keep Australia in the game, but Shivam Dube dismissed him and later Tim David, making the chase even more challenging. Washington Sundar then took charge, claiming three wickets and leaving the Australian batting lineup with no chance to recover. Ultimately, the home team succumbed to defeat, allowing India to secure a remarkable 48-run victory.
Looking Ahead
With this result, India has gained a 2-1 lead in the series and built good momentum. However, the team will need to address some concerns, particularly Shubman Gill's scoring average during the middle overs, which could be crucial for maintaining India's aggressive T20 approach.