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Australia took a 1-0 lead in the ongoing India Tour of Australia 2025 after a convincing four-wicket victory in the second T20I at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The hosts, led by a masterful bowling display from Josh Hazlewood, outclassed India in both departments to comfortably chase down a modest target of 126 inside 14 overs.
Josh Hazlewood destroys Indian batting unit
After winning the toss, Australia captain Mitchell Marsh opted to bowl first — a decision that paid immediate dividends. Hazlewood struck early with his trademark precision, removing both openers within the powerplay. The right-arm pacer was virtually unplayable, extracting seam movement and maintaining a nagging length that troubled the Indian batters throughout his spell. His outstanding figures of 3 for 13 in 4 overs earned him the Player of the Match award.
Nathan Ellis complemented Hazlewood perfectly, picking up two crucial wickets, including that of Sanju Samson, with a sharp nip-backer that trapped him plumb in front. Xavier Bartlett also chipped in with a couple of scalps, while Marcus Stoinis kept things tight from his end. The collective effort saw India bundled out for 125 in 18.4 overs, never really recovering from the early blows.
For India, it was once again a case of one man standing tall against the odds. Young opener Abhishek Sharma was the lone bright spot in an otherwise disappointing batting performance. Showing remarkable composure and aggression, he hammered 68 runs off just 37 balls, striking 8 fours and 2 sixes to keep India afloat.
While Abhishek looked fluent and confident, wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals from the other end. Later, Harshit Rana contributed a fighting 35 off 33 balls, hitting a few crisp boundaries to add some respectability to the total.
However, the lower order crumbled quickly as Australia’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure. India’s innings ended at 125, a total that was never going to challenge the hosts on a batting-friendly MCG surface.
Also WATCH: Tilak Varma plucks a sensational catch to dismiss Travis Head in 2nd T20I – AUS vs IND
Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head power Australia’s chase
Australia began their chase with intent, as captain Marsh and Travis Head launched a flurry of boundaries during the powerplay. The duo added a rapid partnership, with Marsh leading from the front, smashing 46 off 26 balls with 2 fours and 4 towering sixes. Head supported him well with 28 off 15, finding the fence three times before being dismissed by Varun Chakaravarthy, who continued to impress with his control and variations.
Despite a brief wobble in the middle overs, with India picking up quick wickets through Jasprit Bumrah (2/26), Chakaravarthy (2/23), and Kuldeep Yadav (2/45), Australia’s depth ensured there were no major hiccups. Mitchell Owen (14 off 10) and Marcus Stoinis (6 off 6) guided the hosts past the finish line with 126/6 in 13.2 overs, sealing the match comfortably.
Here’s how fans reacted:
If Josh Hazlewood delivered one of the best ODI spells last week in Adelaide, this has to be up there with the best power play spells of all time in T20I cricket. 3/6 in 3 overs. Amazing
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07)
– He gets Gill.
– He gets Surya.
– He gets Tilak.
– 3/6 in 3 Overs in Powerplay.JOSH HAZELWOOD – ONE OF THE GREATEST ALL FORMAT BOWLER. 🙇♂️🔥
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh)
//twitter.com/sandeepkandara/status/1984223026368639207
Josh Hazlewood is the best all format pacer in the world rn. No Jasprit Bumrah agenda can convince me otherwise.
— JR66 (@JoeRoot_66)
We are all lucky to be born in a generation where we get to watch Josh Emperor The King Hazlewood bowl, be it any format.
— arfan (@Im__Arfan)
Shivam Dube streak broken 💔
— Out Of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket)
Bro bowling like McGrath, and celebrating like Akhtar.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer)
THE STREAK IS OVER🤯
After 37 matches, India have lost a T20I match with Shivam Dube in the playing 11
— Vatsan (@Malabar_Parotta)
Josh Hazlewood was absolutely on fire today, hope he brings that to the ashes 😻
— Elle 🤡🇿🇦🇦🇺🤟 (@bangbongbingus)
As much as I like Harshit he can't be the 2nd seamer ahead of Arshdeep in these conditions. If Harshit plays it has to be in place of Shivam Dube not Arshdeep Singh.
— Prantik (@Pran__07)
India lost after 17 years in MCG .
— Aditya (@AdityaVais79656)
Another 30 runs for India & this would have been close
— Matt Croft (@CroftyV1)
Harshit Rana with the Bat:
35(33)Harshit Rana with the Ball:
27/0 in 2 Overs.— Ishan Joshi (@ishanjoshii)
Australia takes the win at the MCG!
— Lachy (@Lachy_Steele)
Congratulations Boys especially hazelwood ,good work 👏🏻👏🏻
— Ash Lee (@aussiegal_19)
If you are defending 124 & you give 43 runs in 3 overs ! You are very poor & that is why in fast tracks you are being hammered ! Kuldeep Yadav is good against Pakistan and spinning tracks
— Younis يونس (@poetry_sports_)
Comprehensive thrashing by Australia against India
Well done 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺— Pivotonian of Geelong 🇦🇺 (@Pivotonian1838)
Also WATCH: Nathan Ellis bowls a jaffa to dismiss Sanju Samson in 2nd T20I – AUS vs IND
