India won the international T20 series against Australia 2-1 after a failure in the fifth and final match at the Gabba. The sold out crowd will receive a full refund as the match did not reach the stipulated six overs limit.
Lightning strikes near the ground initially forced the players to leave after India made the most of Australia’s shocking fielding, racing to 0-52 in the first 4.5 overs. Then a storm came up, accompanied by persistent rain, to ensure that there was no more play.
Shubman Gill, with 29 off 13 deliveries, and Abhishek Sharma, with 23 off 13, charged into Australia’s attack. Abhishek, who made 163 runs in the five matches, was dropped twice and rode his luck.
“I have been waiting for this tournament,” said Abhishek. “We had a plan and we executed it very well.”
It was the second failed match of the series, with the opening match in Canberra abandoned after India scored 1-97 in 9.4 overs.
Australia captain Mitch Marsh said: “I can’t remember the last time we had so many rain delays, but it was a great series with two really good teams. India won the games when it mattered, so congratulations to them.”
“A lot of lessons have been learned, a lot of positives. The adaptability and flexibility of our group and the squad we’re trying to build in a World Cup year has been great.”
Gill was a man on a mission before the players left the field. His timing for six boundaries was impeccable.
The hapless Ben Dwarshuis got a feeling of deja vu in the opening when Abhishek was dropped halfway through the match by the usually reliable Glenn Maxwell. Abhishek had also been dropped in the first over, off the same bowler, two days earlier on the Gold Coast, as India secured a 48-run win.
Dwarshuis then spilled a sitter himself at fine leg when Abhishek had made 12, this time off the bowling of Nathan Ellis. The world’s No. 1-ranked T20 batsman then dismissed Ellis to six over midwicket.
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Both teams learned more about their best combinations with the T20 World Cup to be held in February and March. Ellis cemented his burgeoning credentials in the series with his subtle changes of pace and wicket-taking ability. He finished as the leading wicket-taker, averaging 12.77 with his nine scalps.
India won game four on Thursday evening after Australia collapsed following a three-pronged spin attack on Carrara. They can expect to see a lot more of it in India and Sri Lanka, where pitches will undoubtedly be conducive to turning.
The hosts did not field their strongest side in the latter stages of the tournament, with Josh Hazlewood only playing the first two matches and Travis Head playing the first three.
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