India’s bowlers delivered a clinical performance to seal a 48-run win over Australia in the third T20I on the Gold Coast, giving the visitors a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
Defending what appeared to be a modest total of 167 for 8, India’s spin trio of Washington Sundar, Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy, supported by all-rounder Shivam Dube, dismantled the Australian lineup to bowl them out for just 119.
Washington led the charge with sensational figures of 3 for 3, while Axar and Dube took two wickets each, tightening the screws as Australia’s middle order collapsed under pressure. Varun Chakravarthy finished the game in style, deceiving Glenn Maxwell — returning from injury — with a googly that summed up Australia’s night of struggle.
Earlier, India’s innings was anchored by Shubman Gill’s 46, but regular breakthroughs by Adam Zampa (3 for 45) and Nathan Ellis (3 for 21) prevented a bigger total. From 121 for 2 at one stage, India’s lower order faltered before the bowlers turned the game around with a commanding effort on a surface that skipper Suryakumar Yadav described as “subcontinental” in nature.
With this win, India moved within one victory of sealing the series, while Australia will look to regroup ahead of the final T20I at The Gabba.
