Australia posted a competitive 186/6 in their 20 overs at Bellerive Oval, setting India a target of 187 runs in the must-win third T20I. After early setbacks, Tim David’s explosive 74 off 38 balls and Marcus Stoinis’ unbeaten 64 off 39 balls rescued the hosts, keeping the series within Australia’s grasp.
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Early Indian Dominance Turns Into Middle-Order Mayhem
Captain Suryakumar Yadav won India’s first toss of the Australian tour after five consecutive losses and elected to bowl first. The decision paid immediate dividends as Arshdeep Singh, returning to the XI, struck twice in his opening spell to dismiss Travis Head for 6 and Josh Inglis for 1, leaving Australia reeling at an early stage.
However, the match’s complexion changed dramatically when Tim David launched a blistering counterattack, bringing up his fifty in just 23 balls—the second-fastest by an Australian against India in T20Is. His partnership with Stoinis added crucial runs when Australia desperately needed momentum.
India vs Australia: Match Scorecard Summary
| Team | Runs | Wickets | Overs | Run Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (Batting) | 186 | 6 | 20 | 9.30 |
| India (Chasing) | Target: 187 | — | — | — |
Australia’s Top Performers
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tim David | 74 | 38 | 8 | 5 | 194.74 |
| Marcus Stoinis | 64* | 39 | 8 | 2 | 164.10 |
| Matthew Short | 26* | 15 | 2 | 1 | 173.33 |
India’s Bowling Performance
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arshdeep Singh | 4 | 35 | 3 | 8.75 |
| Varun Chakaravarthy | 4 | 33 | 2 | 8.25 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 4 | 26 | 0 | 6.50 |
| Shivam Dube | 3 | 43 | 1 | 14.33 |
India’s Must-Win Scenario
With the five-match T20I series currently at 1-0 in Australia’s favor after the hosts’ commanding victory in Melbourne, India face elimination pressure. In the second T20I, India were bowled out for just 125 runs, with only Abhishek Sharma’s valiant 68 off 37 balls providing resistance after the top order collapsed to 49/5.
India made three strategic changes for this crucial encounter, bringing in Jitesh Sharma, Washington Sundar, and Arshdeep Singh for Sanju Samson, Kuldeep Yadav, and Harshit Rana. The return of Arshdeep proved immediately beneficial, but India’s middle-order bowlers struggled to contain the Australian onslaught.
Key Turning Points
Varun Chakaravarthy provided India a glimmer of hope by removing Mitchell Marsh for 11 and cleaning up Mitchell Owen for a golden duck on consecutive deliveries in the ninth over. However, the David-Stoinis partnership rebuilt the innings expertly.
A crucial dropped catch by Washington Sundar at backward point gave Tim David a lifeline during the powerplay, a moment that would prove costly as the big-hitter capitalized with brutal power-hitting.
The Bellerive Oval’s shorter boundaries and bat-friendly conditions favor aggressive batting, making India’s chase challenging yet achievable. For updates on the latest cricket matches and live scores, fans have their eyes glued to this contest.
What India Needs
Chasing 187 in Hobart requires India’s top order—particularly Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma—to provide a explosive start. Australia are without their most influential bowler Josh Hazlewood, who has been rested for the remaining T20Is to prepare for the Ashes, providing India an opportunity to capitalize.
The pitch at Bellerive Oval has historically produced varied results. T20Is played in January-February have averaged first-innings scores of 190, while October-November matches have averaged just 148, suggesting conditions might assist bowlers as the evening progresses.
For comprehensive coverage of India’s Australian tour and detailed match analysis, cricket enthusiasts can follow real-time updates as this thriller unfolds.
The Series Context
This match holds immense significance. In head-to-head T20I encounters, India leads the overall record with 20 wins against Australia’s 12 victories in 33 matches. However, recent form and home advantage have shifted momentum toward the hosts.
With the T20 World Cup scheduled for February-March 2025 in India and Sri Lanka, both teams are using this series to test combinations and build confidence. For India, bouncing back from the Melbourne debacle is crucial to maintain their status as one of cricket’s premier T20 sides.
According to ESPN Cricinfo’s match preview, India’s challenge lies in adapting to early-season Australian conditions—vastly different from the Asian pitches where they’ll compete in the World Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the target for India in the 3rd T20I?
India needs to chase 187 runs in 20 overs to win the third T20I at Bellerive Oval, Hobart. Australia posted 186/6 in their innings, with Tim David scoring a blazing 74 off 38 balls and Marcus Stoinis contributing an unbeaten 64 off 39 balls. Arshdeep Singh was India’s best bowler with figures of 3/35 in 4 overs.
Why is Josh Hazlewood not playing in the 3rd T20I?
Josh Hazlewood, Australia’s most impactful bowler during the ODI series and first two T20Is, has been rested from the remaining T20I matches to manage his workload and prepare for the upcoming Ashes series. Cricket Australia decided to rest him strategically, giving India’s batters an opportunity to perform without facing their most threatening bowler. Sean Abbott replaced Hazlewood in the playing XI for this match.
