CANBERRA — The opening Twenty20 International (T20I) between India and Australia ended in disappointment for fans as heavy rain forced the match to be abandoned at Manuka Oval on Wednesday.
Early Promise Cut Short by Rain
India was 97 for one in 9.4 overs when play was stopped for the second and final time. Shubman Gill (37*) and skipper Suryakumar Yadav (39*) were building a solid partnership before the weather intervened.
Earlier, Abhishek Sharma contributed 19 runs before mistiming a shot off Nathan Ellis, caught by Tim David at mid-off. After the first rain delay, the match had already been reduced to 18 overs per side, but persistent showers made further play impossible.
Gill and Yadav Entertain Before Downpour
Before the abandonment, Gill and Yadav lit up the Canberra crowd with a brisk stand, smashing 54 runs in just 4.4 overs. Their aggressive display gave India early momentum and set a promising tone for the innings until the rain swept through once more.
Injury Concerns for India
India’s preparations were marred by injuries ahead of the match. All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy was ruled out of the first three T20s due to neck spasms, following a quadriceps injury sustained during the ODI series. Meanwhile, batsman Shreyas Iyer continues to recover from a lacerated spleen suffered while attempting a catch in the Sydney ODI last weekend.
Focus Shifts to Melbourne
India, tipped as favorites for next year’s T20 World Cup on home soil, were hoping to carry forward their momentum from the final ODI win against Australia. The focus now turns to the second T20, scheduled at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Friday, where both teams and fans will be hoping for clear skies and a full contest.
