India Beat Australia by 48 Runs to Take 2-1 Lead in Gold Coast T20 Series

India’s bowlers produced a composed performance to secure a 2-1 advantage in the Twenty20 series after restricting Australia to 119 all out in 18.2 overs. The victory followed a competitive but unspectacular batting effort in which India reached 167 for eight. The match took place at Carrara Oval, a venue known for large square boundaries and unpredictable bounce that can test both batters and bowlers.

Australia made four changes to their side and were able to limit India’s scoring in the opening overs. India’s opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill put on 56 for the first wicket but struggled to find fluency against the new ball. Abhishek attempted to break free by hitting leg-spinner Adam Zampa for a six, but the bowler responded by dismissing him shortly afterwards. Gill continued to accumulate steadily, but the innings lost momentum as Australia struck at regular intervals.

Shivam Dube, promoted to number three, started hesitantly before clearing the boundary with a straight six. His early dismissal brought in India captain Suryakumar Yadav, who briefly lifted the run rate with consecutive sixes. However, Australia regained control at the end of the innings, led by pace bowler Nathan Ellis, who removed Gill with a well-disguised slower ball and finished with figures of 3 for 21. Zampa also claimed key middle-order wickets, including Tilak Varma and Jitesh Sharma. A late unbeaten burst from Axar Patel, who scored 21 off 11 balls, ensured India finished above 160.

Australia began their chase cautiously, scoring only 11 runs off the first two overs. Matthew Short provided early impetus by attacking Arshdeep Singh and later lifting Varun Chakaravarthy over the boundary. India’s decision to review an lbw shout against Short proved decisive, as Axar Patel struck in his first over and shifted the momentum.

Axar delivered a compelling spell, using a wide release to angle the ball into right-handed batters and restricting their ability to create room. Only a small fraction of his deliveries landed outside the off stump, as most targeted the stumps or followed batters backing away. His control of length, varying between fuller balls and deliveries in the 5–6-metre range, prevented Australia from attacking off the back foot.

He dismissed Short with a ball full enough to beat the sweep and later bowled Josh Inglis after spotting the batter advancing down the pitch. Axar explained afterwards that his approach was straightforward: bowl fuller to those attempting to sweep and slightly shorter to those looking to hit straight.

Dube complemented Axar’s work with two crucial wickets. His removal of Australia captain Mitchell Marsh, followed by the dismissal of Tim David with a short ball, placed India firmly in command. Arshdeep Singh contributed by taking Josh Philippe’s wicket, while Chakaravarthy claimed the important scalp of Glenn Maxwell when a delivery kept low and struck the stumps.

With Australia reduced to 91 for three after ten overs, the contest still appeared open. But once the middle order unravelled, the hosts were unable to mount a recovery. India’s off-spinner Washington Sundar picked up three late wickets, including two in two balls, to hasten Australia’s collapse. Australia ultimately fell well short of the target, finishing with 119.

The victory ensures India cannot lose the series, with the final match set to take place in Brisbane on 8 November. The opening fixture in Canberra was abandoned due to rain.

Context

The result continues India’s strong recent performance in Twenty20 cricket, driven by depth in their all-round options. Axar Patel, whose ability to contribute with both bat and ball has grown in domestic and international formats, has now earned eight Player-of-the-Match awards in this format for India. Analysts note that his combination of restrictive bowling and adaptable batting has made him a central figure in India’s limited-overs side.