Josh Hazlewood Stars As Australia Beat India In T20

Post by : Mara Rahim

Australia delivered a strong performance in the second T20 International at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, beating India by nine wickets. The highlight of the match was fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, who produced a brilliant spell of 3 wickets for just 13 runs. His accuracy and pace left India struggling on a pitch that offered bounce and movement. Hazlewood’s 15 dot balls were key to breaking India’s rhythm and setting up an easy chase for his team.

After being sent in to bat by Australian captain Mitchell Marsh, India’s batting lineup collapsed early. The top order failed to handle Hazlewood’s fiery opening spell. Shubman Gill was the first to fall for 5 after a mistimed shot. Soon after, Suryakumar Yadav was dismissed for 1, and Tilak Varma fell for a duck. Within the first few overs, India found themselves at 32 for 4, unable to build a steady partnership. The conditions in Melbourne made batting difficult, as the Australian seamers took full advantage of the surface.

Despite the tough start, young opener Abhishek Sharma showed confidence and aggression. He played a superb knock of 68 runs off 37 balls, hitting boundaries all around the field. Along with Harshit Rana, who added 35 runs, he built a 56-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Their stand gave India hope of reaching a competitive total. However, once Sharma was trapped lbw by Nathan Ellis, India’s innings quickly came to an end. None of the lower-order batters could contribute significantly, and India were bowled out for just 125 runs in 19.3 overs.

Australia’s bowling unit performed as a complete unit. Besides Hazlewood, Xavier Bartlett recovered well after an expensive start and took two wickets. Sean Abbott and Nathan Ellis also chipped in with key breakthroughs. Wicketkeeper Josh Inglis played a vital role behind the stumps, taking sharp catches that helped maintain the pressure on India. The teamwork and discipline in Australia’s bowling attack ensured India never gained momentum throughout their innings.

In reply, Australia’s captain Mitchell Marsh led from the front. He scored a quick 46 off 26 balls, combining powerful hitting with smart shot selection. His opening partnership with Travis Head added 51 runs and set the tone for the chase. Head provided solid support while Marsh played the attacking role, ensuring the run rate stayed high. The Australians chased down the target with ease, finishing on 126 for 1 in just 13.2 overs, with 40 balls remaining.

Josh Hazlewood’s outstanding bowling earned him the Man of the Match award. Speaking after the game, he said, “The ball feels good coming out of the hand. It’s about hitting the right areas and letting the pitch help.” His disciplined line and length proved too much for the Indian batters. Hazlewood’s performance reminded everyone why he is among the most reliable bowlers in modern cricket.

India’s batting struggles have become a major concern. Their inability to handle fast bowling in Australian conditions was once again exposed. While Abhishek Sharma’s innings was impressive, the lack of support from senior players hurt the team. India will need to improve their shot selection and adapt quickly to the conditions if they hope to bounce back in the next match.

With this win, Australia now lead the five-match T20 series 1-0 after the first match in Canberra was washed out. The third T20 will be played in Hobart on Sunday. Australia will aim to continue their strong form, while India will look to regroup and make a comeback. The contest promises to be exciting as both teams prepare to test their depth and strategy ahead of future international tournaments.

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