Australia delivered a clinical performance to defeat India by 4 wickets in the second T20I at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 31, 2025. Josh Hazlewood was named Player of the Match for his exceptional bowling figures, setting up Australia’s comprehensive victory with 40 balls to spare.
Table of Contents
IND vs AUS Match Summary: Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Venue | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne |
| Date | October 31, 2025 |
| Result | Australia won by 4 wickets |
| India Total | 125/10 (18.4 overs) |
| Australia Total | 126/6 (13.2 overs) |
| Player of the Match | Josh Hazlewood (3/13) |
| Series Status | Australia leads 1-0 |
| Next Match | Hobart, November 2 |
Hazlewood’s Demolition Job
Josh Hazlewood’s devastating spell of 3/13 from four overs ensured India never gained control of the innings. The veteran pacer triggered a catastrophic collapse that saw India slump to 49/5 in the eighth over, leaving the visitors scrambling for survival.
Asked to bat first, India were bowled out for a modest 125 in just 18.4 overs after a dramatic top-order collapse. Hazlewood’s precision bowling exploited the pace-friendly conditions perfectly, dismissing key batsmen when India desperately needed partnerships.
For more on Australia’s bowling excellence, check out Australia’s T20I bowling records.
Abhishek Sharma’s Heroic Stand
Amidst the chaos, opener Abhishek Sharma produced a counter-attacking masterclass. Sharma top-scored with a 37-ball 68 that included eight fours and two sixes, keeping India’s hopes alive with his aggressive stroke-play.
Abhishek Sharma brought up his sixth T20I half-century, and he and Harshit Rana added a crucial half-century stand for the sixth wicket to take India’s total past 100. Rana contributed a valuable 35 off 31 deliveries, showing maturity beyond his experience.
However, the damage inflicted by Australia’s bowlers proved insurmountable. The partnership offered brief resistance, but India’s total of 125 was always going to be challenging to defend at the MCG.
Marsh and Head Seal Victory
Australia responded with intent as their openers made early inroads, with Head and Marsh continuing the attack. Captain Mitchell Marsh led from the front with an explosive 46 off 26 balls, combining with Travis Head (28 off 15) to add 51 runs for the opening wicket.
The Australian openers didn’t spare even India’s premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah, attacking fearlessly to virtually end the contest within the powerplay. Australia reached their target in just 13.2 overs, winning by 4 wickets with over six overs to spare.
Despite late wickets falling to Varun Chakaravarthy (2/23), Jasprit Bumrah (2/26), and Kuldeep Yadav (2/45), Australia’s dominant start ensured a comfortable victory.
Learn more about India’s T20I bowling strategies and tactical approaches.
India’s Top-Order Troubles
India endured a shaky start, losing Shubman Gill (5), Sanju Samson (2), T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav (1) and Tilak Varma (0) within the first five overs. The spectacular collapse exposed India’s vulnerability against quality pace bowling on bouncy surfaces.
The dismissals came in quick succession, with Hazlewood and Nathan Ellis wreaking havoc through the Indian batting order. The inability to negotiate the new ball proved costly, putting immense pressure on the middle and lower order.
Bumrah’s Near Hat-Trick
In a match dominated by Australia, Jasprit Bumrah provided a moment of excitement by dismissing Mitchell Owen and Matthew Short off consecutive deliveries, coming agonizingly close to a hat-trick. However, Xavier Bartlett defended comfortably to deny Bumrah the historic achievement.
For comprehensive cricket coverage, visit ESPN Cricinfo for detailed match statistics and analysis.
Series Implications and What’s Next
With the first T20I in Canberra washed out, this victory gives Australia crucial momentum in the five-match series. The India vs Australia T20 series will now move to Hobart for the third T20I on Sunday, where India must regroup to keep their series hopes alive.
India needs to address their batting concerns, particularly against quality pace bowling, while Australia will look to consolidate their advantage. The series remains alive, but India must win at least three of the remaining four matches to claim victory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What were the key factors behind India’s collapse in the 2nd T20I at MCG?
India’s collapse was primarily due to Josh Hazlewood’s exceptional bowling that exploited the pace-friendly MCG conditions. The veteran Australian pacer’s 3/13 spell triggered a top-order meltdown, reducing India to 49/5 within eight overs. Shubman Gill, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma all fell cheaply, scoring a combined 8 runs. The inability to negotiate quality fast bowling on a bouncy surface and losing wickets in clusters prevented India from building any meaningful partnerships, ultimately restricting them to just 125 runs.
Q2: Can India still win the T20I series after losing the 2nd match?
Yes, India can still win the series, but they face an uphill battle. With Australia leading 1-0 in the five-match series (first match was washed out), India must win at least three of the remaining four matches to clinch the series. The next match in Hobart on November 2 becomes crucial for India’s comeback hopes. They need to address their top-order batting vulnerabilities and find ways to counter Australia’s pace attack more effectively. The series remains mathematically open, but India will need significant improvement to turn things around.
