AUS vs IND 2025-26, 2nd T20I, Highlights: Josh Hazlewood’s 3-13 spell helps Australia crush India in 2nd T20I and go 1-0 up in series.
Brief Scores: India 125 (Abhishek Sharma 68, Josh Hazlewood 3/13) lost to Australia 126/6 (Mitchell Marsh 46, Varun Chakaravarthy 2/23) by 4 wickets.
Player of the Match: Josh Hazlewood (3/13)
On a chilly Friday evening at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia dominated India in a one-sided contest that never really took off for the visitors. After Mitchell Marsh won the toss and opted to bowl, Josh Hazlewood’s fiery spell tore through India’s top order, restricting them to a modest 125.
In reply, the Australia skipper led from the front with a fluent 46 off 26 balls as the hosts chased down the target in just 13.2 overs. With the first game washed out, this commanding win gives Australia a 1-0 lead in the five-match series and leaves India searching for answers ahead of the Hobart clash.
Talking Point: Hazlewood made India batters dance on his song
Josh Hazlewood produced a clinical display of fast bowling at the MCG, dismantling India’s top order with precision and control. His incisive new-ball spell accounted for Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Shubman Gill, reducing India to early trouble.
Returning figures of 4-0-13-3, Hazlewood showcased the same composure and accuracy that defined his ODI performances, maintaining a probing line and offering no width to the batters. It was a masterclass in disciplined pace bowling that exposed India’s vulnerability against high-quality seam movement early in the innings.
Read More: AUS vs IND 2025-26, 1st T20I: Surya shows glimpses of form in rain-hit abandoned game
India all-out for 125 despite fighting knock from Abhishek Sharma
A horror batting display saw India crash to 125 all out in 18.4 overs in the 2nd T20I against Australia at the MCG. After Mitchell Marsh won his fifth consecutive toss and opted to bowl, Josh Hazlewood ripped through India’s top order with a brilliant new-ball spell, dismissing Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma to leave the visitors reeling at 50/5.
Opener Abhishek Sharma (68 off 37) fought valiantly, and a surprise promotion for Harshit Rana (35) briefly steadied things, but once the pair fell, the innings folded quickly. Apart from their stand, it was a complete batting failure as Australia’s disciplined attack, led by Hazlewood, kept India under constant pressure and restricted them to a modest total to defend.
Australia chase 126 easily with 40 balls to spare
Australia cruised to a four-wicket win, chasing down 126 in just 13.2 overs. Captain Mitchell Marsh led from the front with a blistering 46 off 26 balls, setting the tone for a dominant display.
Though India’s spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy, along with Jasprit Bumrah, picked up two wickets each to delay the inevitable, the target was too small to defend. Australia’s aggressive intent and batting depth ensured there were no real jitters, sealing a comfortable victory.
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Statistical Highlights from Australia vs India, 2nd T20I, 2025
- Josh Hazlewood’s figures of 3-13 ranks third in the list of best bowling performances for Australia against India in T20Is.
- Josh Hazlewood dismissed Shubman Gill for the first time in T20Is.
- Josh Hazlewood dismissed Suryakumar Yadav for the second time in T20Is.
- Abhishek Sharma brought up his first 50+ score against Australia in T20Is.
- The partnership of 56 runs between Abhishek Sharma & Harshit Rana is the best sixth wicket stand for India against Australia in T20Is.
- Abhishek Sharma registered the second-highest T20I score (68) as opener for India against Australia in Australia. Shikhar Dhawan occupies the top spot with his 76 at Brisbane in 2018.
- Mitchell Marsh reached the 2000-run mark in T20Is in his 74th innings.
What’s next
After the first match being washed out and the second ending in a heavy defeat, India will be desperate to bounce back in the third T20I. The series now moves to Hobart, where the teams will meet at the Bellerive Oval on Sunday, November 2.
With the batting order under scrutiny after the Melbourne collapse, Suryakumar Yadav’s men will be eager to regroup and keep the series alive in what promises to be a high-stakes clash under lights.
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