India clinch 2-1 T20I series win over Australia after rain disrupts final match

India secured a 2-1 series win over Australia after their final T20I in Brisbane was washed out due to rain. Openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill provided a strong start before the weather intervention, marking India’s fifth consecutive T20I series win over Australia

Brisbane: India raced to 52 for no loss in 4.5 overs before rain forced the fifth and final T20I against Australia to be washed out at The Gabba in Brisbane on Saturday. With persistent rain and lightning causing the game’s abandonment, India clinched the five-match series 2-1.

This result marks India’s fifth consecutive T20I series win over Australia, further solidifying their dominance in the shortest format. Openers Abhishek Sharma (23 not out) and Shubman Gill (29 not out) gave India a brisk start before the rain intervened, bringing the match to an early end – the second no result of the series.

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Before rain halted play, left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma survived a couple of early chances to remain unbeaten on 23, becoming the second-fastest Indian batter to reach 1000 T20I runs. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill looked fluent, hitting glorious boundaries to stay unbeaten on 29.

After India were put in to bat, Abhishek was dropped twice in the powerplay – first by Glenn Maxwell at long-off off Ben Dwarshuis, and then by Dwarshuis himself on the boundary after Abhishek miscued a pull shot against Nathan Ellis.

Despite the nervy start, Abhishek made the most of his reprieves, hitting two lovely boundaries to reach the 1000-run milestone in T20Is in just his 28th innings since debuting in July 2024.

While Abhishek rode his luck, Gill was assured at the other end, hitting six boundaries to give India early momentum, before rain forced a halt to play. With a severe weather alert displayed on the scoreboard, spectators in the front rows were evacuated to the stands for shelter.

As heavy rain lashed the stadium, the weather radar showed no sign of improvement, and eventually, it led to the abandonment of the match. In the three games that were played in the series, Australia won in Melbourne, while India stormed back to win in Hobart and Gold Coast.

Brief scores:
India 52 for no loss in 4.5 overs (Shubman Gill 29 not out, Abhishek Sharma 23 not out) vs Australia