Australia beat India by four wickets to lead T20 series 1-0

Australia raced to a four-wicket victory against India inside 14 overs to go 1-0 up in the T20 series.

Having been put in to bat in Melbourne, only Abhishek Sharma, who top-scored with a blistering 68 from 37 deliveries, and Harshit Rana (35) made it into double figures as India were bowled out for 125 in the 19th over.

Seamer Josh Hazlewood (3-13) did early damage for the hosts, dismissing Shubman Gill, visiting captain Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma as India slumped to 32-4 inside the powerplay.

Opener Abhishek and Rana put on 56 for the sixth wicket to give their side hope, but Xavier Bartlett (2-39) ended the partnership when he had Rana caught at long-on.

Abhishek was the ninth wicket to fall, trapped lbw by Nathan Ellis (2-21), and Jasprit Bumrah was run out off the next delivery to end India’s innings prematurely.

Australia captain Mitchell Marsh led the reply from the top of the order, scoring 46 from 26 deliveries and putting on an opening partnership of 51 with Travis Head (28).

By the time he was caught by Abhishek off Kuldeep Yadav the home side were well on their way to their target, and while the middle order was dismissed cheaply they still wrapped up the match with 40 balls to spare.

Australia lead the five-match series 1-0, after Wednesday’s opener in Canberra was abandoned because of rain, with the third game in Hobart on Sunday.

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