The fifth and final T20I between India and Australia at The Gabba in Brisbane was abandoned after a fierce storm hit the city, handing India a 2-1 series victory.
India made a strong start after being asked to bat, with openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill racing to 52 without loss in just under five overs before play was halted, first due to lightning and then heavy rain. Gill looked in fine touch, smashing six boundaries in his unbeaten 29, while Abhishek, dropped twice by Glenn Maxwell and Ben Dwarshuis, remained not out on 23.
Crowd left waiting as weather worsens
Despite a packed crowd waiting patiently for play to resume, persistent rain forced officials to call off the match after more than two hours. The opening game of the series in Canberra had also been washed out earlier.
Australia took the second T20I in Melbourne by four wickets, powered by Josh Hazlewood’s impressive bowling. However, after Hazlewood and other Ashes-bound players were withdrawn, India bounced back, winning the third match in Hobart by five wickets and the fourth on the Gold Coast by 48 runs.
Abhishek Sharma named player of the series
Abhishek Sharma was named Player of the Series for scoring 163 runs at an average of 40.75.
“The way everybody chipped in in every game and we came back from being one match down, I think credit goes to all the boys; a complete team effort,” India captain Suryakumar Yadav said.
With this triumph, India – currently ranked No. 1 in T20Is- return home full of confidence and depth ahead of their T20 World Cup title defence next year.
Australia captain Mitch Marsh praised the contest, saying, “I thought all in all it was a good series, two teams really going at it. India won the games when it mattered, so congratulations to them.”
