The first game was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to persistent rain, making this the first completed match of the series.
After being sent in to bat, India never found their rhythm against a disciplined Australian attack led by Josh Hazlewood, who was later named Player of the Match for his brilliant figures of 3 for 13 in four overs.
The tall pacer struck early and often, dismantling India’s top order as they crumbled to 32 for 4 inside five overs.
Only Abhishek Sharma showed resistance with a sparkling 68 off 37 balls (8 fours, 2 sixes), playing with confidence against both pace and spin. But with wickets tumbling around him, India struggled to build partnerships.
A late cameo from Harshit Rana (35 off 33) took the visitors to 125 all out in 18.4 overs — well short of a competitive total.
For Australia, Hazlewood’s precision with the new ball was complemented by Nathan Ellis (2/21) and Xavier Bartlett (2/39), while Marcus Stoinis chipped in with a wicket to keep India on the back foot throughout.
In reply, Australia’s chase was spearheaded by skipper Mitchell Marsh, who smashed a blistering 46 off 26 balls with four sixes and two fours. Alongside Travis Head (28 off 15), the duo put on 51 runs in quick time, setting the tone for an aggressive pursuit.
India fought back briefly through Kuldeep Yadav (2/45) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/23), who exploited the slower conditions to remove key middle-order batters. However, by then the damage had been done, Australia were well ahead of the required rate and coasted home at 126 for 6 in just 13.2 overs, with 40 balls to spare.
Jasprit Bumrah was India’s best bowler, taking 2 for 26, but lacked support at the other end as Australia’s top order dominated the powerplay.
