BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – The highly anticipated fifth and final T20 International between India and Australia at the Gabba was abandoned due to torrential rain and lightning on Saturday, but not before the weather confirmed a series victory for the visitors, who clinched the five-match contest 2-1.
The match, which served as the series decider, was poised for excitement before the elements intervened. Put in to bat first, the young Indian opening pair of Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma had gotten the team off to a blistering start, racing to 52 without loss in just 4.5 overs. Gill was batting aggressively on 29 not out off 16 balls, while Abhishek Sharma had contributed a brisk 23 not out off 13 deliveries, making the most of a couple of early dropped catches by the Australian fielders.
However, lightning forced the players off the field shortly before a heavy downpour began. After a wait exceeding two hours, with the covers firmly on and no relief in sight, the umpires officially called off the match, sealing the series result in India’s favour. The first match of the series was also washed out.
The series victory provides a significant confidence boost for the young Indian squad ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup. Reflecting on the team’s resilience, India captain Suryakumar Yadav praised his players, stating, “The way everyone chipped in and the way we came back from 0-1 down, credit to all the boys.”
Left-hander Abhishek Sharma, who impressed with his consistent performances across the games, was named Player of the Series. A delighted Sharma shared his excitement about the future, saying, “It’s my dream come true moment if I get to play the World Cup. The captain and coach told me to express myself, and that clarity helped.”
Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh congratulated the Indian team on their hard-fought win, acknowledging the difficult weather conditions. “India obviously won the games when it mattered—congratulations to them,” Marsh said. “There’s a lot of learnings to take forward, especially in a World Cup year.”
