India vs Australia Highlights, 2nd T20I: Australia storms past India to win 2nd T20 by 4 wickets at MCG

In a stunning display of precision, Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Matthew Short with a perfectly executed yorker on the very first ball he faced. The delivery left Short with no room to maneuver, resulting in a clean bowled. This early wicket further tightened the screws on Australia, keeping them under immense pressure as India’s bowlers continued to dominate the game.

Kuldeep Yadav delivers a quicker one that sneaks past Josh Inglis’ bat as he tries to work it off the back foot. India opt for a review after the on-field call of not out, and it turns out to be a brilliant decision — three reds on ball-tracking confirm it’s hitting leg stump. Inglis departs for 20 off 20 balls, giving Kuldeep his second wicket and India a much-needed breakthrough.

India managed to pick up key wickets to slow Australia’s charge, but the visitors remain firmly in command at 92/3 after nine overs. Josh Inglis (6 off 11) and Mitchell Owen (1 off 1) are currently at the crease, with just 34 runs needed from 66 balls to seal victory.

Varun Chakravarthy continued his impressive spell, claiming 2 wickets for 18 runs in 3 overs, while Kuldeep Yadav chipped in with a wicket but proved expensive, conceding 20 runs in his first over. Despite the breakthroughs, the required run rate of just 3.09 keeps Australia comfortably ahead in the chase.

Australia maintained a strong scoring rate despite losing Travis Head early, reaching 56/1 at the end of six overs. Josh Inglis (3 off 7) and skipper Mitchell Marsh (15 off 15, 1 six) are at the crease, keeping the chase under control. With a required run rate of just 5.00 and 70 runs needed off 84 balls, the visitors remain well on top.

At the end of the third over, Australia had added 18 runs without losing a wicket. Travis Head was looking solid on 16 from 9 balls with two boundaries, while Mitchell Marsh had 4 from 9 deliveries. Jasprit Bumrah and Harshit Rana bowled economically, giving away 18 and 7 runs respectively in their overs. Australia needs 97 runs from 102 balls to chase down India’s 125.

In the second over, Marcus Head managed to get off the mark with a flourish. Harshit Rana bowled a short delivery angled across, and Head edged it thickly over slip for a boundary. The batsman had been waiting for the right moment and capitalized, sending the ball over the lone slip fielder for four.

Chances look slim for India at this point, given the current situation: they scored 125/10 in 18.4 overs, which is below par for a full T20 at the MCG.

Australia’s bowling has been superb, especially Josh Hazlewood’s 3/13, and they have a strong batting lineup with power hitters like David Warner, Glenn Maxwell, and Tim David. The win probability, as per live projections, is heavily in Australia’s favor — around 82% for AUS and just 17% for India.

That said, in T20 cricket, surprises can happen. India would need an exceptional batting effort from their top order and some big hits from the lower order to make the chase competitive. But realistically, Australia is highly likely to chase down this target comfortably.

Jasprit Bumrah’s brief stay ended in a run-out off Nathan Ellis in the 18.4 over, leaving India all out for a modest total. Bumrah faced just one ball and could not score, marking the end of India’s innings. Ellis’s alert fielding ensured the innings concluded on a dramatic note, bringing Australia’s bowlers the final breakthrough. India’s middle and lower order failed to build on the platform set by Abhishek Sharma, leaving them with a challenging total to defend.

Abhishek Sharma came alive in the 17th over, producing a brilliant display of timing and placement. He first smashed a full toss over covers for a four, followed immediately by a perfectly executed hook over fine leg for six. These back-to-back boundaries not only boosted India’s total but also lifted the momentum, putting pressure back on the Australian bowlers. Sharma’s fearless approach has been the standout in India’s middle-order innings so far.

Abhishek Sharma keeps the scoreboard ticking with a smart single off Stoinis. The delivery was short and wide, allowing him to guide it toward deep cover. He considered taking two, but wisely settled for one, maintaining India’s momentum amid the falling wickets.

Harshit Rana’s lively innings comes to an end as Xavier Bartlett strikes for Australia. The right-hander misjudges a short, wide delivery and toe-ends it straight to long-on, where Tim David takes the catch. Rana finishes with 35 runs off 33 balls, including three boundaries and a six, at a strike rate of 106.06.

Harshit Rana drives a low full toss from Stoinis toward sweeper cover and they manage two runs, helping India inch closer to stabilizing the innings.

At the end of the 12th over, India moved to 83/5, with Abhishek Sharma on 48 off 21 balls, striking seven fours and a six. Harshit Rana added 17 runs from 19 deliveries, providing crucial support as the Men in Blue look to accelerate in the middle overs against Australia.

Abhishek Sharma continued his impressive innings, smashing a boundary off the last ball of the ninth over. Facing Owen, he pulled a short ball around leg over short fine leg for four, showcasing his fearless approach and keeping India’s hopes alive at 56/5.

Axar Patel’s innings comes to an unfortunate end with a run-out! Attempting a risky third run, Axar is caught short as Matthew David quickly collects the ball and throws it to the non-striker’s end. Despite a desperate dive, he fails to make his ground in time. The cover fielder had initially been flying to his left to stop the drive, and Abhishek Sharma tried to send him back, but Axar slipped turning for the run and couldn’t complete it.