India vs Australia 2nd T20I Highlights: Match Called Off Due To Rain
Highlights, India vs Australia 2nd T20I: The match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was called off due to rain. Australia lead the three-match series 1-0.
The second T20I between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was called off due to incessant rain. India captain Virat Kohli had won the toss and invited the hosts to bat. The Indian bowlers restricted Australia to a moderate 132/7 in 19 overs when rain halted play. After many erratic rain spells, the Australian innings was forced to end and India were given a revised DLS target of 137 in 19 overs. However, rain did not let the match resume. By virtue of this abandonment, Australia still have a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. (SCORECARD)
Earlier, Indian pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/20) and Khaleel Ahmed (2/39) made full use of the overcast conditions, rattling the Australian top order. Bhuvneshwar dismissed Aaron Finch (0) in the first over with an away swinger. Chris Lynn (13) got off to a good start but then played a poor shot. Opener D'Arcy Short followed Lynn soon, leaving his side reeling at 37/3. Marcus Stoinis also departed cheaply, putting Australia further into trouble. Glenn Maxwell (19) and Ben McDermott tried to steady the Australian innings but the former got out trying to up the scoring rate. Towards the end, Nathan Coulter-Nile (20 off 9 balls) and Ben McDermott (32 not out) played handy knocks, helping their team post a fighting total. For India, it was a combined bowling effort as all the bowlers chipped in with wickets at regular intervals. Apart from Bhuvneshwar and Khaleel, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav and Krunal Pandya bagged a wicket apiece
India Cricket Team
Australia Cricket Team
Melbourne Cricket Ground
IND vs AUS, 2nd T20I Highlights
We take your leave then. Thank you for staying patiently with us. The third and final T20I will be played at the SCG on Sunday, 6.50 pm local (0750 GMT). Hopefully, that is a full contest. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
Sad end then to what was promising to be a cracker of a run chase. India were the big favourites at the halfway stage but then the rain spiced it up. Anything could have happened with 90 needed from 11 overs or 46 needed from 5. Either ways, Australia are at least ensured that they do not lose this series.
So the inevitable has happened. The game has been CALLED OFF. The captains and the umpires are seen shaking hands and that will be it from this game. One can say the rain has come to the rescue of Australia as we feel it is India who would have been the favorites heading into the chase.
Update 9.50 pm local time - Cricket Australia tweets, 'If play doesn't resume before 10.02 pm local time then the match will be abandoned...'
The rain is playing hide and seek here, it is back just as we were going to start the chase, the players make their way back in and the groundsman run out with the covers.
The Indian bowling was excellent, the seamers were the one who did the majority of the damage. Khaleel picked two early on, Kumar also ended with two and Bumrah also had one to his name. The spinners were upto the task in this game. They did not let the pressure drop in the middle overs, they too were economical and took one apiece. They though will still be disappointed as they could not finish off well. However, one would feel, they are favorites to chase this total down. Will India level the series or will Australia take an unassailable lead?
Australia were reeling at 62-5 but a lower-order surge has kept them in the game. McDermott was the mainstay and the rest played around him. He finished as the top scorer for the Aussies.
So runs from the lower half has given the Australian bowlers something to bowl at. However, it is India who will head into the break as the happier side. They were brilliant right from the start. After electing to field, Finch was dismissed on the very second delivery of the game. The hosts never recovered after that as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals.
That is the end of the Australian innings, they won't come out to face the last six balls. 4 runs have been added to the Australian total. So India will need 137 from 19 overs.
Update - 2041 Local time - The covers are coming off and play is likely to resume in a few minutes. Let's see if Australia will bat the last over. Scratch what I just wrote, the drizzle has returned and our wait continues.