Abhishek shines, but India falter in Melbourne

Under the bright lights of the Melbourne Cricket Ground and before a roaring 82,000-strong crowd, Josh Hazlewood produced a spell of fast bowling mastery that left India gasping. The Australian pacer tore through India’s famed top order, setting up a comprehensive four-wicket victory in the second T20 International on Friday.

India’s batting collapsed spectacularly, folding for a mere 125 in 18.4 overs, with nine batters failing to reach double digits. Amid the wreckage, only Abhishek Sharma stood tall, counterattacking with a superb 68 off 37 balls, keeping India from complete humiliation.

Hazlewood was unplayable in his four-over spell, claiming 3 for 13 and delivering a remarkable 15 dot balls. His control of line, length and bounce left India’s top order dazed and the contest effectively decided within the first 20 minutes.

In response, Australia wasted little time. Skipper Mitchell Marsh smashed 46 off 26 balls, setting the tone for a quick chase that ended in 13.2 overs. Though the hosts lost six wickets, their dominance was never in question.

For India, the only bright moments came from Varun Chakravarthy’s tidy spell (2/23) and Jasprit Bumrah’s sharp yorker to dismiss Matthew Short. But those flashes of brilliance could not disguise how completely Hazlewood had dismantled them.

Hazlewood’s precision cracks India early

Hazlewood, known for his Test-match discipline, extracted bounce and seam movement on a lively MCG pitch, hitting the corridor relentlessly between 6-8 metres from the stumps. His relentless accuracy broke India’s backbone in no time.

He softened Shubman Gill (5) with a sharp bouncer, then lured him into a mistimed drive that landed safely in Marsh’s hands at mid-off. Soon after, Nathan Ellis trapped Sanju Samson (2) plumb in front with a delivery that nipped back sharply. Samson’s failed DRS appeal only added to India’s woes.

Hazlewood’s next victim was skipper Suryakumar Yadav (0), undone by a delivery that jagged just enough to kiss the edge through to the keeper. He followed it up two balls later by dismissing Tilak Varma (0) with a rising delivery that ballooned up for an easy catch to Josh Inglis. Within the blink of an eye, India were tottering at 49 for 5.

Abhishek Shines amid the chaos

If there was one Indian who looked at home, it was Abhishek Sharma. Batting with fearless intent, he tore into the Australian attack, racing to a 23-ball fifty his first at the MCG decorated with eight fours and two sixes. His crisp timing and ability to ride the bounce drew applause even from rival supporters.

Partnering with Harshit Rana (35 off 33), Abhishek added 56 runs for the seventh wicket, the stand that at least dragged India past 100. However, the lower order failed to rotate strike, leaving Abhishek stranded for long stretches. Despite the frustration, he still managed to lift Xavier Bartlett for a six and a boundary late in the innings before finally falling with the score at 125.

India’s lessons ahead

The Indian team management is unlikely to read too much into this loss, knowing that the T20 World Cup will be played in home conditions where pitches will offer less bounce and more grip conditions that should suit spinners like Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel.

Still, with three matches left in the series, the Indian batters have plenty to reflect on, especially their struggles against high-quality seam and bounce. If anything, Abhishek’s fearless approach offered the blueprint they’ll need moving forward.

Hazlewood’s spell, meanwhile, was a masterclass in control and discipline, the kind that wins matches in a blink and silences even a crowd of eighty thousand.

*Final score:

India: 125 all out in 18.4 overs (Abhishek 68, Hazlewood 3/13) Australia:* 126/6 in 13.2 overs (Marsh 46, Bumrah 2/26, Chakravarthy 2/23)

Australia won by 4 wickets.