Abhishek Sharma’s gritty half-century goes in vain as Australia hammer India in 2nd T20I at MCG

New Delhi: In the second T20 match between India and Australia, the visiting team, Australia, registered a spectacular 4-wicket victory. With this win, Australia levelled the three-match series 1-1. Abhishek Sharma’s half-century for India went in vain.

Abhishek Sharma Shines, Rest of the Batsmen Flop

The Indian innings did not start as expected. Shubman Gill (5), Sanju Samson (2), Suryakumar Yadav (1), and Tilak Varma (0) were dismissed cheaply. However, young opener Abhishek Sharma played a blistering innings of 68 runs off 37 balls, including 8 fours and 2 sixes. But apart from him, no other batsman could stay at the crease.
In the end, Harshit Rana played a fighting innings of 35 runs, which helped India reach 125 runs in 18.4 overs.

Australian Bowlers Excel

Josh Hazlewood was the most successful bowler for Australia. He took 3 wickets for just 13 runs in 4 overs. Nathan Ellis also took 2 wickets, while Xavier Bartlett and Marcus Stoinis claimed one wicket each. The Indian batsmen looked helpless against their tight bowling.

Marsh-Head’s Explosive Innings Lead Australia to Victory

Chasing the target, the Australian team got off to a flying start. Captain Mitchell Marsh scored 46 runs off 26 balls, while Travis Head added 28 runs off 15 balls, giving the team a strong start.
Although Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav took two wickets each in the middle overs, Marcus Stoinis (not out 6) and Xavier Bartlett (not out 0) eventually guided the team to victory in 13.2 overs.

Story Highlights

  1. Abhishek Sharma scored a brilliant half-century in T20 Internationals – 68 runs (37 balls).
  2. Josh Hazlewood broke the back of the Indian batting lineup with 3 wickets.
  3. Marsh and Head put on an explosive 51-run partnership.
  4. Australia won the match by 4 wickets, scoring 126/6 in 13.2 overs.

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