HYDERABAD — Nov. 2, 2025 — In a high-octane T20 International match between IND vs AUS 3rd T20 at the Bellerive Oval, Hobart, the Indian national cricket team defeated the Australia national cricket team by five wickets to square the five-match series at 1-1.
IND vs AUS 3rd T20 – As it happens
India’s chase of 187 was powered by a calm yet explosive finish, as debutant Washington Sundar hammered an unbeaten 49 off 23 balls and, earlier, Arshdeep Singh made a telling return with three wickets in his comeback spell. Australia had set the target thanks to major innings from Tim David (74 off 38) and Marcus Stoinis (64 off 39) after India won the toss and chose to bowl first.
Australia innings: strong start, but unable to cross 190
Australia’s innings began brightly. After a solid platform, Tim David exploded with five sixes and eight fours as the mounting run-rate forced India to rethink their bowling lengths. At one stage Australia looked on course for 200+. Then India struck back: Varun Chakravarthy removed two batsmen in two balls to slow the momentum briefly. Arshdeep’s return accounted for Stoinis and another key wicket, leaving Australia 186/6 at the end of their 20 overs.
India chase: composure under pressure
Chasing 187 on what turned out to be a true batting wicket, India lost three wickets early (Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav both fell cheaply), but the required rate never spiked thanks to smart batting and calculated strike rotation. The turning point came when Sundar took charge: after a quiet start, he began clearing the ropes and shifted momentum firmly in India’s favour. With nine balls remaining, Jitesh Sharma sealed the win with a confident shot.
Key performances
- Arshdeep Singh (India): Returned to T20I action with 3-35. His early breakthroughs made a difference.
- Washington Sundar (India): His 49* (23) at No 6-7 showed depth and maturity in India’s batting.
- Tim David (Australia): 74 (38) reminded of his destructive potential and tested India’s bowling plans.
- Varun Chakravarthy (India): The two wickets in two balls quieted the Aussie charge at a critical juncture.
Tactical take-aways
- India’s decision to bowl first proved correct as the wicket offered early movement but flattened out later for batting.
- Australia’s promotion of Tim David to No. 4 paid dividends, but their death-overs strategy faltered under India’s late barrage.
- India’s chase exemplified balance: even with top-order hiccups, the middle and lower order held nerve.
- Fielding and dropped chances: Australia dropped a key catch from Sundar early in his innings — a moment experts flagged as turning point.
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What it means for the series
With the series now at 1-1, both teams have three games remaining and the momentum is with India. Australia will reflect on whether their 186 was enough and examine their death-bowling execution. India, meanwhile, will be buoyed by the depth and variety shown — especially in how their lower-order delivered under pressure.
What to watch in game 4
- Will Australia persist with their current batting order, especially David at No. 4, or revert tactics?
- Can India maintain their bowling variation (with Arshdeep, Varun) and batting depth (Sundar, Jitesh)?
- How will toss and playing conditions at the next venue shape team strategies — will teams chase again or opt to bat first?
- Momentum: Australia will seek early dominance; India will aim to build pressure and exploit their confidence surge.
Brief scores:
- Australia 186/6 in 20 overs (Tim David 74, Marcus Stoinis 64; Arshdeep Singh 3-35, Varun Chakaravarthy 2-33)
- lost to India 188/5 in 18.3 overs (Washington Sundar 49*, Tilak Varma 29; Nathan Ellis 3-36) by 5 wickets.
