India bounced back strongly to defeat Australia by five wickets in the third T20I at Bellerive Oval, Hobart, leveling the five-match series at 1-1. India finally won a toss and their three inclusions in Arshdeep Singh, Washington Sundar and Jitesh Sharma all made superb contributions as they withstood a stunning innings from Tim David to cruise to victory.
Arshdeep Singh was Player of the Match for his 3 for 35, including the key scalps of Travis Head, Josh Inglis and Marcus Stoinis, helping restrict Australia to 186 for 6 despite Tim David’s devastating 74 off 38 balls.In response, Washington Sundar, playing as a specialist bat, made his second-highest T20I score of 49 not out off 23 balls while Jitesh Sharma made 22 not out off 13 in his first T20I in over 18 months.
Sources: ESPNcricinfo Match Report (https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-in-australia-2025-26-1478882/australia-vs-india-3rd-t20i-1478909/match-report)
Match Scorecard
| Team | Score | Overs | Wickets | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 186/6 | 20.0 | 6 wickets | Lost by 5 wickets |
| India | 188/5 | 18.3 | 5 wickets | Won by 5 wickets |
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tim David | Australia | Batsman | 74 runs off 38 balls (4 fours, 7 sixes) |
| Marcus Stoinis | Australia | All-rounder | 64 runs off 39 balls (4 fours, 7 sixes) |
| Washington Sundar | India | All-rounder | 49* off 23 balls (3 fours, 4 sixes) |
| Arshdeep Singh | India | Bowler | 3 wickets for 35 runs in 4 overs |
| Jitesh Sharma | India | Wicket-keeper | 22* off 13 balls (2 fours, 1 six) |
Sources: ESPNcricinfo Scorecard and Match Report
Key Moments
- Arshdeep Singh removed Travis Head (6 runs) in the very first over, then dismissed Josh Inglis (1 run) in his next over to deal Australia an early double blow.
- Tim David showed zero regard for the perilous position his team was in and unleashed a brutal counterpunch, bringing up his fifty in just 23 deliveries.
- Varun Chakravarthy turned the game with two wickets in two balls, removing Mitchell Marsh and Mitchell Owen.
- David gave a life off Bumrah on 20, slicing a hard-hit square drive to backward point which burst through Washington’s hands, proving costly as David went on to score 74.
- Washington Sundar hit an unbeaten 49 off 22 balls with four sixes and three fours to steer India over the line.
- Washington and Jitesh finished the chase superbly with an unbeaten 43-run stand to seal the victory with nine balls remaining.
Match Analysis
India captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and opted to bowl first, making three changes to the squad that lost to Australia by four wickets in the second T20I, with Jitesh Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, and Washington Sundar coming in.The decision proved brilliant as all three players made crucial contributions.
Australia are still getting used to seeing David walk out in the third over of an innings, as he did after Head and Inglis fell cheaply to Arshdeep’s early swing.David’s attacking approach kept Australia competitive despite the early setbacks. His partnership with Stoinis added vital runs in the middle overs, with both players smashing half-centuries.
India’s entire top seven made contributions in the chase, showing the team’s batting depth.While wickets fell at regular intervals, Washington Sundar’s explosive knock changed the game’s momentum. His fearless hitting, combined with smart running between the wickets with Jitesh Sharma, ensured India crossed the line comfortably.
This was India’s first T20I match at Bellerive Oval in Hobart, and they walked back with a memorable victory, maintaining their unbeaten T20I series record in Australia.
What’s Next
The fourth match of the series will be played on November 6 at the Bill Pippen Oval, Gold Coast, with the series level at 1-1 and two matches remaining.Both teams will look to gain the upper hand in what has become a closely-fought series. India will be confident after this comprehensive performance, while Australia will want to respond strongly on home soil.