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HOBART: India bounced back in style to level the T20I series 1-1 against Australia, registering a clinical five-wicket win in a high-scoring contest at the Bellerive Oval on Friday. Arshdeep Singh’s fiery spell and Washington Sundar’s match-winning unbeaten 49 guided the visitors home in a composed yet commanding chase after Tim David’s brutal counterattack had threatened to tilt the game Australia’s way.
Having lost the toss in the previous matches, India finally won one — and made full use of it. The three inclusions — Arshdeep Singh, Washington Sundar, and Jitesh Sharma — all delivered in crucial moments to ensure India cruised past Australia’s total of 186 for 6, chasing it down with nine balls to spare at 188 for 5.
Arshdeep’s Early Strikes Stun Australia
India’s young left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh set the tone early, dismissing both Travis Head and Josh Inglis cheaply within the first three overs. Swinging the new ball beautifully, Arshdeep found the perfect length to trouble the Australian top order. His third wicket — Marcus Stoinis, who was threatening to explode — capped a sensational spell of 3 for 35, earning him the Player of the Match award.
Arshdeep’s early breakthroughs pushed Australia into trouble at 32 for 3, before Tim David launched a breathtaking counterattack. Having walked in unusually early, in the third over, David showed no nerves — only raw power.
Tim David’s Explosive Counterattack
David’s innings was nothing short of extraordinary. Facing the world-class Jasprit Bumrah and mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, he unleashed an array of muscular drives and towering sixes that left the Indian bowlers stunned.
He began with a crisp drive off his very first ball and then lofted Bumrah over extra cover for four. In no time, he brought up his fifty off just 23 balls, dismantling the Indian spinners with audacious hitting.
David’s most remarkable shot came against Axar Patel, when he hammered a delivery projected to travel 129 meters — smashing the roof above the sightscreen. Even after a reprieve when Washington Sundar dropped him on 20, David continued his assault, adding 59 runs alongside Mitchell Marsh (5).
But just as he seemed set for a well-deserved hundred, David mistimed a lofted stroke off Shivam Dube, with Tilak Varma taking a stunning catch on the boundary. His 74 off 38 balls, studded with six sixes and five fours, was a masterclass in controlled aggression.
Stoinis and Short Steady the Finish
Following David’s dismissal, Marcus Stoinis took charge of the finishing duties. He displayed immense power, dispatching four boundaries off Arshdeep in the final two overs and hammering a series of pulls and reverse sweeps earlier in the innings. Matthew Short (26 not out off 15) provided able support, ensuring Australia finished with a competitive total of 186 for 6.
However, India’s death-bowling duo — Bumrah and Arshdeep — executed their plans to perfection, conceding just 15 runs in the last two overs to limit the damage.
India’s Chase: Steady Yet Commanding
India’s chase began briskly thanks to Abhishek Sharma, who smashed two fours and two sixes inside the first three overs. But his nemesis Nathan Ellis, who had dismissed him twice earlier in the series, got him again — this time with a sharp 147 kph bouncer that hurried him into a miscued pull.
Suryakumar Yadav looked in sublime touch, hitting two sixes and racing to 24 off 11, but miscued a Marcus Stoinis delivery to cover. Shubman Gill was trapped lbw by Ellis for 10, and India suddenly found themselves three down with the scoreboard reading 62 for 3.
Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, the required rate was never out of reach. The middle order ensured the tempo stayed healthy, and when Washington Sundar walked in at No. 6, India needed composure more than flair — and he delivered both.
Washington Sundar’s Finishing Brilliance
Interestingly, Washington didn’t bowl a single over — but his batting made up for it in style. Known primarily for his all-round skills, he produced a stunning cameo under pressure, scoring an unbeaten 49 off just 23 balls, including four sixes and three boundaries.
His counterattack began with dismissive pull shots off the short-pitched deliveries from Ellis and Abbott — three bouncers, three sixes. Alongside Jitesh Sharma, who marked his T20I return after 18 months with a fluent 22 not out off 13 balls, Washington guided India home with authority.
Jitesh added the finishing touches with a classy scoop over fine leg and a lofted drive over cover to seal the victory. Their unbeaten 43-run partnership ensured there were no last-over nerves as India crossed the line comfortably in the 19th over.
Post-Match Reflections
Arshdeep Singh, awarded Player of the Match, credited the team’s planning and execution, saying:
“The ball was swinging nicely, and we had clear plans against every batter. It feels great to contribute when the team needs it most.”
Captain Suryakumar Yadav praised the team’s depth and adaptability:
“We knew the conditions here favored bowlers early on. Arshdeep set the tone, and the way Washington finished — it was special. The series is alive, and we’re learning with every game.”
For Australia, it was a game of lost opportunities. Tim David’s fireworks went in vain, while Nathan Ellis’s triple strike was overshadowed by India’s calm chase.
With the series now level at 1-1, the stage is set for an electrifying decider in Sydney, where both teams will battle not just for the series trophy but also for momentum heading into a busy cricketing season.
