Ugly Collapse Leaves Aussies Facing T20 Series Loss
India took a 2-1 series lead after Australia’s dreadful batting performance in the fourth T20I on Thursday night at People First Stadium. The hosts’ hopes of victory in the series were crushed following a dramatic collapse of 9-52 on the Gold Coast.
Chasing 168 for victory, Australia faltered badly as no batter managed to score beyond 30 runs. The team eventually suffered a 48-run defeat in front of 20,470 spectators.
Struggles with the Bat
- Mitch Marsh scored 30 runs off 24 balls.
- Matthew Short managed 25 from 19 deliveries.
- Marcus Stoinis added 17 from 19.
- Tim David contributed 14 from nine.
Despite a solid start at 1-67 in the ninth over, the Australians crumbled under pressure, losing nine wickets for just 52 runs in a dramatic collapse.
India’s Dominant Bowling
- Axar Patel: 2-20
- Washington Sundar: 3-3
- Shivam Dube: 2-20
The trio tore through the Australian batting line-up, exploiting poor shot selection and maintaining relentless pressure throughout the innings.
“Shivam Dube sent that one way out of the stadium.”
Highlights from the Series
Nathan Ellis continued his impressive form, leading the Australian bowling attack earlier in the match and triggering a mid-innings Indian collapse that briefly gave the hosts hope.
Australia now faces a must-win situation in the final match in Brisbane on Saturday to avoid a series defeat.
Author’s Summary
Australia’s batting collapse handed India a decisive 48-run win, putting the visitors ahead 2-1 in the T20 series despite Nathan Ellis’s strong bowling display.