HOBART: India roared back into contention in the five-match T20I series with a dominant five-wicket win over Australia in the third T20I at Bellerive Oval, Hobart, on Sunday. The victory leveled the series 1-1, setting up an exciting finale in the upcoming matches.
After opting to bowl first, India’s bowlers — led by Arshdeep Singh’s three-wicket burst — restricted Australia to 186/6, despite explosive half-centuries from Tim David (74 off 38) and Marcus Stoinis (64 off 39).
In response, India produced a composed batting performance, successfully chasing down the 187-run target with nine balls to spare, thanks to Washington Sundar’s unbeaten 49 off 23 balls and Jitesh Sharma’s crucial 22 not out off 13 deliveries.
India’s Bowling Fightback
India made three changes to their lineup, and each paid off. Arshdeep Singh, returning in place of Harshit Rana, struck twice inside the powerplay to remove Travis Head and Josh Inglis, leaving Australia reeling early.
While David and Stoinis counterattacked with a 45-run partnership, Varun Chakaravarthy halted the momentum by dismissing Mitchell Marsh and Matthew Owen off successive balls. Shivam Dube then removed David for a well-made 74.
Despite Stoinis’ late onslaught, Jasprit Bumrah’s precision at the death ensured Australia couldn’t cross 190. Arshdeep ended with 3/35, while Bumrah bowled a miserly spell of 0/26 in four overs.
Sundar, Jitesh Steer India to Victory
India’s chase began briskly with Abhishek Sharma (25 off 16) smashing early boundaries off Xavier Bartlett and Sean Abbott. Suryakumar Yadav (24) added quick runs, but both he and Shubman Gill (15) departed inside the powerplay, leaving India at 64/2.
Tilak Varma (29) and Axar Patel (17) steadied the innings before Washington Sundar’s fluent stroke play shifted momentum. Returning to the side in place of Kuldeep Yadav, Sundar smashed three consecutive boundaries off Abbott in the 14th over to tilt the contest in India’s favor.
With 35 runs needed from the final five overs, Jitesh Sharma, also making his return, partnered Sundar to complete the chase. A boundary from Jitesh in the penultimate over sealed India’s comfortable five-wicket win.