India secured a 48-run victory over Australia in the fourth T20I, taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match series in Queensland on Thursday.
Batting first, India scored 167/8. Captain Shubman Gill was the top scorer with 46 runs. Key contributions came from Abhishek Sharma (28), Shivam Dube (22), and captain Suryakumar Yadav (20).
Australia were all out for 119 in the penultimate over. Mitchell Marsh top-scored with 30 runs off 24 balls.
The stage was set for an exciting chase with Arshdeep Singh expected to bowl the first over to Australia’s opening pair Matthew Short and Mitchell Marsh. Australia aimed for a strong start to set the tone for the innings.
The pitch appeared tacky but still offered scoring opportunities. The Indian spin trio—Varun Chakaravarthy, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar—were anticipated to play a key role in controlling Australia's batting. The long boundaries and ball grip on the surface favored their bowling style.
Axar Patel’s all-round performance was instrumental in India’s victory.
Australia possessed the firepower to chase the target, but India’s bowling attack was well equipped to counter their aggressive batting lineup. The game promised an exhilarating finish.
Summary: Axar Patel's impactful all-round display led India to a commanding win over Australia, pushing India ahead in the T20I series with both bat and ball crucial on a challenging pitch.