CARRARA, Queensland – India secured a resounding 48-run victory over Australia in the fourth T20I at the Carrara Oval on Thursday, taking a crucial 2-1 lead in the five-match series. The win was powered by a collective bowling effort, spearheaded by the Player of the Match, all-rounder Axar Patel, who backed up his late batting cameo with a match-defining bowling spell.
India’s Innings: Gill Anchors, Patel Provides Late Boost
Put into bat first by Australia skipper Mitchell Marsh, India posted a competitive total of 167/8 in their 20 overs on a pitch that proved tricky for stroke-making.
- Anchoring Knock: Opener Shubman Gill provided the foundation, top-scoring with a patient 46 off 39 deliveries.
- Crucial Contributions: He was well-supported by fellow opener Abhishek Sharma (28), Shivam Dube (22), and captain Suryakumar Yadav (20), who all made useful starts but failed to convert.
- Axar’s Cameo: It was Axar Patel’s explosive, unbeaten 21 off just 11 deliveries at the death that gave India the much-needed push to cross the 160-mark.
- Australian Bowling: Paceman Nathan Ellis (3/21) and spinner Adam Zampa (3/45) were the pick of the Australian bowlers, ensuring India did not run away with the game.
Australia’s Chase: Spin Web Halts Momentum
Chasing 168, Australia’s innings faltered spectacularly, as they were bundled out for just 119 in $18.2$ overs. Despite a solid start, the Australian middle-order crumbled under a relentless and disciplined Indian bowling attack.
| Australian Batters | Runs (Balls) | Indian Bowlers | Figures (Overs) |
| Mitchell Marsh (Top Scorer) | 30 (24) | Washington Sundar | 3/3 (1.2) |
| Matthew Short (Opener) | 25 (19) | Axar Patel | 2/20 (4.0) |
| Marcus Stoinis | 17 (17) | Shivam Dube | 2/20 (2.0) |
The turning point came with India’s spin trio applying a chokehold on the run rate:
- Axar Patel (2/20): Dismissed openers Matthew Short and Josh Inglis to trigger the collapse.
- Shivam Dube (2/20): Struck with crucial wickets of Marsh and Tim David to break the back of the chase.
- Washington Sundar (3/3): Cleaned up the lower order with a sensational spell of $3$ wickets for just $3$ runs.
Player of the Match: For his impactful all-round performance ($21^*$ off 11 balls and $2/20$ in four overs), Axar Patel was rightly named the Player of the Match.
The series now moves to a thrilling conclusion with India holding the advantage. The fifth and final T20I will be played in Brisbane on Saturday.
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- Khalid Javed is known as Khalid Minhas is editor of Daily Olympic.He is a seasoned journalist and worked with different national and international media outlets.
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