Melbourne, October 31, 2025: Australia handed India a tough defeat in the second T20I at the MCG, drawing first blood in the five-match series with a comprehensive victory. The hosts dominated the contest in every department, winning comfortably and leaving India with plenty to ponder ahead of the next clash.
Chasing a modest target of 126, the Australian openers set the tone with a blistering 51-run partnership in the Powerplay. Mitchell Marsh continued his aggressive form, racing to 46 before being dismissed, while Josh Inglis added crucial support. Despite losing a few wickets in the latter stages, Australia crossed the line with ease, marking their first T20I win against India at the MCG since 2008.
India’s batting faltered early, collapsing to 125 all out. Abhishek Sharma was the lone bright spot, scoring a fighting 68 off 37 balls, supported by a handy contribution from Harshit Rana down the order. The rest of the batting lineup struggled, unable to capitalize on starts, leaving their bowlers with too little to defend.
Josh Hazlewood was awarded Player of the Match for his brilliant spell with the new ball, finishing with three crucial wickets. He praised his team’s simple, effective plan and highlighted the contributions of newcomers Bartlett and Ellis. For India, Jasprit Bumrah bowled well, including a two-wicket burst in his second spell, while Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy showed flashes of brilliance, but it was not enough to challenge the hosts.
Australia captain Mitchell Marsh reflected on the victory, noting the importance of winning the toss and the excellent performance of his bowlers. India captain Suryakumar Yadav acknowledged Hazlewood’s impact in the Powerplay and stressed the need for a stronger batting display in the next game.
The action now moves to Ninja Stadium in Hobart for the 3rd T20I on November 2, with India eager to bounce back and level the series. The match starts at 1:45 pm IST (8:15 am GMT).
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