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| Image Courtesy: BCCI / bcci.tv (Official Match Photographer) |
India’s Strong Comeback Levels the Series
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t was a night of redemption and rhythm for Team India as they outplayed Australia by five wickets in the third T20I at Hobart’s Bellerive Oval. Chasing 187 for victory, the visitors reached the target with nine balls to spare, thanks to Washington Sundar’s unbeaten 49 off 23 and a composed cameo from Jitesh Sharma. The victory brought the five-match series to an even 1-1, injecting life back into the contest after Australia’s early dominance.
India’s pursuit, though intense, was built on a series of partnerships, each adding crucial stability against an Australian attack that started strong but lost grip as the dew set in.
Australia Set a Competitive Total
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ustralia, asked to bat first, got off to a patchy start. Skipper Mitchell Marsh struggled to find rhythm before falling for 11 to Varun Chakaravarthy, while opener Travis Head’s aggressive cameo of 6 off 4 was cut short by Arshdeep Singh’s clever slower ball, well held by Suryakumar Yadav in the deep.
Josh Inglis, the wicketkeeper, perished early too, edging Axar Patel to short third man. But the tide turned dramatically when Tim David (74 off 38 balls) and Marcus Stoinis (64 off 39 balls) came together. The pair stitched a 111-run stand that lit up the Tasmanian night sky with towering sixes and piercing drives.
Matt Short’s quickfire 26* (15) and Bartlett’s late cameo took Australia to 186/6 after 20 overs — a score that looked formidable on the slightly two-paced surface.
India’s Chase: Calm, Calculated, and Clinical
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ndia’s reply began with promise as Abhishek Sharma (25 off 16) struck fluent boundaries through cover. But Australia hit back through Nathan Ellis, who removed both openers — Gill and Abhishek — in quick succession. Suryakumar Yadav (24 off 11) counter-punched with trademark flair, including a wristy flick that sailed deep into mid-wicket stands, before holing out off Marcus Stoinis.
At 76/3, India looked wobbly. But Tilak Varma (29 off 26) steadied the innings alongside Axar Patel (17 off 12), rotating strike smartly and punishing loose deliveries. The scoreboard pressure eased, and the required run rate dropped below ten an over as Sundar entered the frame.
Sundar’s Power Finish: The Turning Point
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ashington Sundar’s arrival at the crease changed the game’s complexion. Initially cautious, he shifted gears spectacularly after the 14th over, targeting Sean Abbott’s erratic lengths and Xavier Bartlett’s pace. His back-to-back sixes over long-on brought India within touching distance, leaving the Australian crowd stunned.
Partnering with Jitesh Sharma, who chipped in with an unbeaten 22 off 13, Sundar showcased both maturity and timing. The duo’s 43-run partnership sealed victory with nine balls left, marking India’s most successful chase of the tour so far. Sundar’s 49* earned him the Player of the Match award — a performance praised for its balance between composure and aggression.
Bowling Breakdown: Arshdeep and Varun Deliver Under Pressure
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rshdeep Singh once again proved why he is India’s go-to bowler in crunch situations. His figures of 3/35 included the key wickets of Head, Stoinis, and Tim David — all taken at pivotal junctures. The left-armer mixed his yorkers and slower bouncers with precision, forcing Australian batsmen into false strokes.
Jasprit Bumrah, returning from rest, bowled an economic spell (4-0-26-0), strangling runs at the death. Varun Chakaravarthy’s variations (4-0-33-2) accounted for Marsh and Owen, both undone by drift and dip. Meanwhile, Axar Patel’s 4-over stint (1/35) maintained control in the middle overs.
India’s bowling unit, collectively, limited Australia to under 190 despite a 100-plus stand — a testament to their discipline in the final overs.
Fielding and Captaincy Calls
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uryakumar Yadav’s leadership stood out for its clarity and confidence. His decision to persist with Arshdeep in the 18th over, rather than saving him for the last, paid off instantly when Tim David mistimed one straight to deep mid-wicket. The skipper’s sharp catch earlier off Arshdeep also reflected India’s fielding sharpness.
Shubman Gill and Tilak Varma’s boundary saves prevented at least 15-20 extra runs — the margin that eventually defined the game. Small moments, but critical in a tight contest like this.
Australia’s Missed Chances
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ustralia will rue their missed opportunities. Nathan Ellis was exceptional early on with two top-order wickets but lacked support from the other end. Sean Abbott’s expensive 3.3 overs (0/56) undid the pressure built by Bartlett and Kuhnemann. Even Stoinis, after shining with the bat, failed to make breakthroughs when it mattered most.
Skipper Marsh admitted in the post-match chat: “We lost control in the middle overs. Sundar played brilliantly, but we also gave away too many easy singles. We’ll look to tighten our lengths in Sydney.”
Momentum Ahead of Sydney Clash
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ith the series now levelled 1-1, both sides head to Sydney with renewed intent. India, buoyed by back-to-back standout shows from young players, will look to capitalize on their momentum. Australia, meanwhile, will seek answers to their death-over conundrum and find ways to counter India’s left-arm swing threat.
Experts believe India’s adaptability under Suryakumar’s captaincy is their biggest strength. “They’ve started reading Australian pitches better and making smarter bowling choices,” noted a local commentator. “It’s a different India now — one that believes in finishing games, not just competing.”
All eyes now shift to the Sydney Cricket Ground, where the fourth T20I promises another high-octane contest between two evenly matched giants.
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