🏏 Epic Showdown at the MCG: Australia v India Second T20I 2025-26 🔥

Epic Showdown at the MCG: Australia vs India 2nd T20I, 2025-26 – Match Highlights

The second T20I of the India tour of Australia 2025-26 series delivered a thrilling, one-sided spectacle at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on October 31, 2025. In front of a roaring crowd of 82,438—dominated by Indian supporters but feeling like an away game for the hosts—Australia clinched a commanding 4-wicket victory, chasing down India's modest total of 125 with a whopping 40 balls to spare. This gave the Aussies a 1-0 lead in the five-match series after the rain-abandoned opener in Canberra. Josh Hazlewood's masterclass with the ball earned him Player of the Match honors, dismantling India's top order on a bouncy MCG pitch that favored pace.

#### Toss and Team Lineups

Australia's captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss and elected to field first, banking on the seam-friendly conditions under lights. The MCG's large boundaries and extra bounce played into the hands of Australia's quicks.

**India XI**: Shubman Gill (c), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (capt & wk), Tilak Varma, Riyan Parag, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah.

**Australia XI**: Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (capt), Jake Fraser-McGurk, Josh Inglis (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Short, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.

#### India's Innings: Top-Order Collapse and Abhishek's Lone Resistance (125 all out in 18.4 overs)

India's batting imploded spectacularly against Australia's disciplined seam attack, marking only the 13th time they've been bowled out in T20Is. Hazlewood set the tone with a lethal new-ball spell, extracting steep bounce and seam movement to rip through the top three.

- **Early Wickets**: Hazlewood struck with his first ball, trapping Gill lbw (overturned on DRS due to height, but he dismissed him soon after for 0). Yashasvi Jaiswal (if in XI, but reports confirm Gill opener) and Suryakumar Yadav followed cheaply—SKY edged one to slip for 5. India slumped to 20/4 inside the Powerplay.

- **Abhishek Sharma's Heroics**: The lone bright spot was opener Abhishek Sharma's explosive 68 off 37 balls (8 fours, 3 sixes), including a 23-ball fifty—his debut MCG knock in T20Is. He smartly used the crease to counter the bounce but was starved of strike, facing just 37 of 111 possible deliveries. A gritty 56-run stand with Harshit Rana (35 off 33) offered brief hope, the third-highest 6th-wicket partnership at MCG in T20Is.

- **Lower-Order Wobble**: Rana's dismissal triggered a collapse, with India's tail folding meekly. Nathan Ellis (2/21) and Xavier Bartlett (2/39) mopped up, while Hazlewood returned for 3/13—his best T20I figures at the venue.

India's total looked under par on a pitch where BBL games have seen high scores, but the extra bounce exposed technical frailties in their top order.

#### Australia's Chase: Marsh's Fireworks Seal a Clinical Win (126/6 in 13.2 overs)

Needing just 126, Australia romped home with an explosive Powerplay, before a mini-collapse added drama. The chase showcased their depth, despite losing Hazlewood to series duty post-match for Ashes prep.

- **Blazing Start**: Openers Travis Head (22 off 12) and Marsh (46 off 26, including a monstrous six into the Olympic Stand's second tier—among the biggest at MCG) plundered 67/0 in the first six overs. Marsh's aggressive pull shots and lofts epitomized his white-ball form, boosting his Test recall hopes.

- **Middle-Order Jitters**: India fought back with spin and death bowling. Varun Chakaravarthy (2/23) and Kuldeep Yadav snared key scalps, reducing Australia to 106/6. Jasprit Bumrah's pinpoint yorker dismissed Matthew Short (18) for a highlight-reel moment, while a brief wobble saw Tim David and Marcus Stoinis tested.

- **Finishing Touches**: Stoinis (14*) and Ellis (unbeaten) steered home with a couple off Varun, sealing the win. Australia's second-largest T20I victory by balls remaining against India (41 balls, behind 52 in 2008 at the same venue).

#### Key Performances and Stats

| Player | Team | Key Stats | Impact |

|--------|------|-----------|--------|

| **Josh Hazlewood** | AUS | 4-0-13-3 | POTM; Destroyed top order with bounce and seam. Best T20I econ at MCG (3.25). |

| **Abhishek Sharma** | IND | 68 (37) | Solo effort; 8x4, 3x6. Faced 1/3rd of balls but scored 54% of runs. |

| **Mitchell Marsh** | AUS | 46 (26) | Explosive knock; Massive six highlighted Aussie firepower. |

| **Varun Chakaravarthy** | IND | 2/23 | Best bowler; Spin threat in middle overs. |

| **Jasprit Bumrah** | IND | 2/25 | Late strikes, including a yorker gem. |

| **Harshit Rana** | IND | 35 (33) & 0/28 | Valuable lower-order cameo; Bowling tidy. |

- **Milestones**: Australia's first T20I win over India at MCG; Ended India's 10-match unbeaten streak there. Hazlewood's spell: Joint-third best figures by an Aussie vs India in T20Is.

- **Pitch & Conditions**: Bouncy, quick MCG deck aided pacers (9 of 12 wickets). No rain interruptions—unlike the opener.

#### Post-Match Buzz

Australia's bowlers, led by Hazlewood, turned the MCG into a fortress, silencing the pro-India roar. India can take heart from Abhishek's form and their spinners' fightback, but the top order needs urgent fixes ahead of the T20 World Cup in home conditions. Marsh praised his bowlers: "Hazlewood was unplayable—set the tone early." Suryakumar Yadav: "Abhishek showed why he's special; we'll bounce back."

The series heads to Hobart for the third T20I on November 2—India desperate for a equalizer without Hazlewood.

For full video highlights, check official streams on [Cricket Australia](https://www.cricket.com.au/videos/4394139/australia-v-india-second-t20i-watch-extended-highlights-mcg-hazlewood-abhishek-sharma-bumrah-ellis) or [ESPNcricinfo](https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-in-australia-2025-26-1478882/australia-vs-india-2nd-t20i-1478908/full-scorecard). What a night at the 'G'!

 🏏 Epic Showdown at the MCG: Australia v India Second T20I 2025-26 🔥