The first T20I between India and Australia in Canberra was called off on Wednesday due to persistent rain in Canberra. India were 97 for 1 when rain stopped play for the second time, prompting officials
to abandon the match.
Suryakumar Yadav, with his deputy Shubman Gill (37 not out off 20 balls) also in good form, exhibited controlled aggression before unleashing a series of attractive strokes, reaching an unbeaten 39 off 24 balls. The duo added 62 runs off 35 balls for the second wicket, both appearing poised for significant scores that ultimately did not materialise.
Suryakumar, who had a strike rate of less than 110 and managed only 100 runs in 2025, demonstrated why he was once the world’s No. 1-ranked T20 batter by dispatching a Josh Hazlewood delivery over the square leg fence.
That shot boosted Suryakumar’s confidence, aided by the good bounce and carry of the Manuka Oval pitch, which are crucial factors in the Indian skipper’s game.
He held on to the strike until he reached 20, then broke free in Nathan Ellis’ over, the 10th of the innings, with an uppish square-cut, an off-drive, and a massive pull over mid-wicket for a six before the rain intervened.
At the other end, Gill blended caution with aggression, including a slog-swept six over cow corner off left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann, which opened the floodgates.
There were two breaks in the 9.4 overs that India endured, and after the first break, the next 4.4 overs proved very productive for the visitors, yielding 54 runs. The rain also made the ball wet, making it difficult for the Australian bowlers to grip.
Earlier, new sensation Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for 19 after a promising start, with India at 43 for 1 in five overs when steady drizzle halted play in the first T20I. Abhishek was dismissed by Ellis after hitting four boundaries but failing to clear the mid-off fielder.
