Australia claimed a commanding four-wicket victory over India in the second T20I at Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 31, 2025, chasing down 126 with 40 balls remaining. Josh Hazlewood produced a masterclass with figures of 3/13 to restrict India to just 125, before Mitchell Marsh’s explosive 46 off 26 balls and Travis Head’s quick-fire 28 off 15 deliveries powered Australia to a 1-0 series lead. Despite Abhishek Sharma’s impressive 68 off 37 balls, India collapsed to 125 all out in 18.4 overs after a dramatic top-order failure. The win came before a massive crowd at the MCG, giving Australia momentum ahead of the third match in Hobart.
Sources: ESPNcricinfo, Outlook India
Match Scorecard
| Team | Score | Overs | Wickets | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 125 | 18.4 | 10 | Lost by 4 wickets |
| Australia | 126 | 13.2 | 6 | Won with 40 balls remaining |
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Hazlewood | Australia | Bowler | 3/13 in 4 overs |
| Abhishek Sharma | India | Batsman | 68 runs off 37 balls (3 fours, 7 sixes) |
| Mitchell Marsh | Australia | Batsman | 46 runs off 26 balls (3 fours, 3 sixes) |
| Harshit Rana | India | All-rounder | 35 runs off 33 balls |
| Nathan Ellis | Australia | Bowler | 2/21 in 3.4 overs |
| Travis Head | Australia | Batsman | 28 runs off 15 balls |
Sources: ESPNcricinfo Full Scorecard
Key Moments
- India lost half their team for just 49 runs early in the innings on a pace-friendly Melbourne surface
- Abhishek Sharma made a brilliant half-century in just 23 balls, counterattacking after the top-order collapse
- Shubman Gill (5), Sanju Samson (2), Suryakumar Yadav (1), and Tilak Varma (0) all fell cheaply as Hazlewood and the Australian pacers dominated
- Harshit Rana and Abhishek Sharma stitched together a crucial partnership of over 50 runs to help India reach 125
- Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head attacked from the start, not sparing even Jasprit Bumrah
- Australia lost six wickets during the chase but the target was too small to defend
- Josh Hazlewood was named Player of the Match for his exceptional bowling figures
Match Analysis
India’s batting struggles on fast, bouncy pitches continued at the MCG. The visitors found themselves in deep trouble after losing their top four batsmen with barely any runs on the board. Only Abhishek Sharma showed the aggression and skill needed to tackle the Australian pace attack, playing a counter-attacking innings that included seven massive sixes.
Hazlewood’s precision bowling exploited the overcast conditions perfectly, making the ball move both ways and keeping the Indian batsmen guessing. Nathan Ellis and Xavier Bartlett also chipped in with important wickets to bundle out India for their lowest score of the series.
Australia’s chase was clinical despite losing wickets at regular intervals. Marsh and Head set the tone with aggressive batting in the powerplay, putting India’s bowlers under immediate pressure. Even though Varun Chakravarthy (2/23) and Jasprit Bumrah (2/26) picked up wickets, the target was too modest to defend.
What’s Next
The series moves to Hobart for the third T20I on November 2, 2025. Australia will look to extend their lead, while India must regroup and find solutions to their batting woes against quality pace bowling. Josh Hazlewood is set to leave the series after this match, which could give India an opportunity to bounce back in the remaining matches.