Josh Hazlewood clinically dismantled a renowned Indian top-order with a probing spell, leading Australia to a four-wicket victory in the second T20 International on Friday.
In front of a crowd of 82,438, India endured one of its most embarrassing defeats, with nine batters failing to reach double digits, culminating in a total of 125 in 18.4 overs.
Only Abhishek Sharma, in the form of his life, stood out with a combative 37-ball 68. Along with Harshit Rana (35 off 33 balls), he added 56 runs to push the total past the 100-run mark after Hazlewood (3/13) had them reeling at 49 for 5.
Hazlewood bowled 15 dot balls in his four-over spell, breaking the backbone of the Indian batting line-up and effectively killing the contest within the first 20 minutes.
In reply, skipper Mitchell Marsh blasted his way to 46 off 26 balls, as the hosts completed the chase in just 13.2 overs, losing three wickets in the process. Australia lost six wickets mainly due to their batters attempting audacious shots.
The only silver lining for India, apart from Abhishek’s innings, was Varun Chakravarthy’s spell (2/23 in 4 overs) and Jasprit Bumrah’s (2/26 in 4 overs) pinpoint yorker to dismiss Matthew Short.
Most of the Indian batters struggled to hit through the line due to the extra bounce and the lengths that the Australian pacers, especially Hazlewood, consistently hit during his spell.
While the technique of a few batters was exposed, the Indian team management is unlikely to be too concerned as the T20 World Cup will be played in Indian conditions, where most deliveries will not rise above knee height.
There will be minimal seam movement, and wickets offering a bit of grip will benefit Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel much more.
With three matches left in the series, Indian batters could take inspiration from Abhishek, who burnished his credentials as the world’s number one T20 batter with some breathtaking strokes.
Abhishek played some remarkable shots on the off-side: slashes, check drives, and lofted strokes, racing to a 23-ball half-century in his maiden appearance at the iconic venue while others fell quickly.
His knock included eight fours and two sixes.
Abhishek’s ability to use the crease and ride the bounce worked in his favour, but in the last 10 overs, he was left frustrated with the lower middle-order batters who could not rotate the strike.
He didn’t get the strike for nearly five overs as Rana faced most of the deliveries, and later, the likes of Shivam Dube and Kuldeep Yadav also consumed many balls.
At 110 for 8, Abhishek took charge, hooking Xavier Bartlett for a six and hitting a boundary, bringing the total to 125.
Hazlewood, immaculate as ever, bowled a Test match length consistently in the 6-8m region, getting just the right amount of movement that troubled the top order.
He softened Shubman Gill (5) with a well-directed bouncer that required a mandatory concussion test after the batter survived a leg-before appeal to a fuller incoming delivery first up.
When Hazlewood bowled a fullish length outside off-stump, the Indian vice-captain’s chip shot to clear the mid-off fielder ended in an easy catch for Marsh.
Before Gill could settle, Nathan Ellis’ nip-backer found Sanju Samson (2) plumb in front, and he wasted a DRS review, aware that he wouldn’t survive.
Hazlewood then bowled what could easily be the ball of the game. He first bowled a short ball that skipper Surya gloved trying to pull, but Josh Inglis dropped it on the second attempt.
The next delivery, a pitched-up ball, saw the Indian skipper hesitate. There was no foot movement, and the slight outward movement kissed the outside edge of his bat, landing in the keeper’s gloves.
Two balls later, Tilak Varma (0) edged one from Hazlewood. The ball ballooned up for Inglis to complete the catch.
Once Axar was run out, Harshit and Abhishek steadied the innings, but Harshit often played and missed, putting more pressure on Abhishek.
India: 125 all out in 18.4 overs (Abhishek Sharma 68, Harshit Rana 35; Josh Hazlewood 3/13).
Australia: 126 for 6 in 13.2 overs (Mitchell Marsh 46; Varun Chakravarthy 2/23, Jasprit Bumrah 2/26).
