The fifth T20I match between India and Australia at the Gabba Stadium in Brisbane came to an abrupt halt after a strong start. Lightning and rain halted play.
The players were sent inside, while fans quickly took shelter. Earlier, India had scored 52 runs without losing a wicket in 4.5 overs.
IND vs AUS T20 Match; India’s explosive batting in the beginning
Australia won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Mitchell Marsh said after the toss, “Going to bowl first. Looks a good surface, always great to come here and play at this great stadium. Certainly a chance to draw the series. Lots to play for. Both teams have played some great cricket. Was a bit of an indifferent surface. India bowled superbly. Different conditions tonight. No changes.”
India captain Suryakumar Yadav said, “Until you’re winning the game and losing the toss, it’s fine. Want to go out and express ourselves. Always good to understand the team’s goal. All batters realized it wasn’t a 200-wicket haul. All boxes ticked in the last game, just want to continue the same.
Always good to win bilaterals. At the same time, what combination you want is more important. Other than openers, this is one format where everyone has to be flexible with batting positions. One change – Tilak is resting, Rinku comes in.”
As soon as the match started, Abhishek Sharma performed brilliantly. Two catches were dropped in the very first over of Ben Dwarshuis.
Then, in the fourth over, he completed 1000 T20I runs, that too in just 528 balls. Suryakumar’s previous record was 573 balls.
Abhishek took advantage of the dropped catch and hit a six. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill hit four fours in the third over. India reached 35/0 in just three overs. It looked like this would be a high-scoring match.
IND Vs AUS T20 Match Rain Update
The weather suddenly changed. Play was stopped at 14:10 due to lightning. Commentators announced that storm was imminent. Players and staff went inside, and fans were moved from the lower stands to the upper stands.
Matthew Hayden commented that this shouldn’t be a long delay. But at 14:35, rain began. The Gabba’s drainage system is good, so play is expected to resume soon.
Heavy rain then fell at 14:57. There was a brief pause at 15:09, and fans began returning to their seats. But at 15:18, returned.
By 15:31, the covers are now in place, and the umpires are waiting. Overs have begun to be cut. Abhinav Mukund provided an update that the weather hasn’t cleared yet.
India leads the series 2-1, having won the fourth match by 48 runs. Washington Sundar took three wickets, and Axar Patel took two. Shubman needs a big score, and Suryakumar also needs free play. Australia is hungry for a draw.
So far, Abhishek is unbeaten on 23* (13) and Shubman is unbeaten on 29* (16). Bowlers Xavier Bartlett is 0/13 (1.5) and Nathan Ellis is 0/12 (1).
The pitch is grassy, and the new ball could be helpful. The last over of the powerplay remains when the match resumes.
