NEW DELHI: Abhishek Sharma rescued India from a top-order collapse, with Harshit Rana providing crucial support as the visitors managed 125 in the second T20I against Australia at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday. Abhishek, the world’s highest-ranked T20I batsman, played a brilliant knock of 68 off 37 balls, while Harshit stood firm at the other end with a gritty 35 off 33 deliveries.
The boys are back! Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma will take on the Indian bowlers in the nets
The pair added 56 runs for the sixth wicket – India’s only meaningful partnership in the innings – and were the only two batsmen to reach double figures.Harshit, who once again faced criticism for being picked ahead of Arshdeep Singh, silenced the doubters with a composed innings that included three fours and a towering six. His massive strike from 104 meters drew a stunned reaction from the Indian dugouts, including head coach Gautam Gambhir, whose astonishment was caught on camera.WATCH the video HEREChasing 126, Australia cruised to a four-wicket win to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series after losing the opening match in Canberra. Captain Mitchell Marsh led the way with a quick-fire 46 off 26 balls while Travis Head contributed 28 at the top to give the hosts early momentum. Their attacking position ensured that Australia remained in control throughout the chase and reached the target with 40 balls to spare despite some late wickets.Josh Hazlewood was the star of the show with the ball and produced a masterful spell that tore through India’s top order. His figures of 3 for 13 from four overs set the tone for Australia’s dominance. Hazlewood’s early breakthroughs, supported by the rest of the bowling attack, restricted India to a subpar total despite Abhishek’s struggling half-century.With Australia 1-0 up, the series moves to Hobart for the third T20I at Bellerive Oval on Sunday.
