The much-anticipated first T20I between India and Australia at Canberra’s Manuka Oval ended in disappointment as heavy rain forced an abandonment after just 9.4 overs of play. India had raced to 97 for 1 when the heavens opened, with captain Suryakumar Yadav unbeaten on 39 off 24 balls in a display of controlled aggression that hinted at his return to form.
After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, India made a fiery start on a pitch that looked full of runs. Openers Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma wasted no time in taking the attack to Australia’s pacers, mixing timing with intent. Gill played some exquisite shots on both sides of the wicket, racing to 37 off 20 balls before falling to Nathan Ellis, who managed to deceive him with a slower delivery. Abhishek Sharma chipped in with a brisk 19 from 14 balls before being caught trying to clear the infield.
Suryakumar Yadav, captaining the side and coming in at number three, looked composed from the moment he arrived. He unleashed his trademark wristy strokeplay, finding gaps effortlessly and launching a couple of audacious sixes that drew applause even from neutral fans. With Rinku Singh at the other end, India looked set for a total well beyond 180 as the Australian bowlers struggled to contain the scoring rate in the powerplay.
However, just as India began to dominate, the Canberra skies turned grey. A brief drizzle initially halted play, and after a 40-minute delay, the umpires attempted a restart with the match reduced to 18 overs per side. But soon after play resumed, a second and heavier downpour drenched the outfield, making conditions unplayable. Despite the best efforts of the ground staff, the rain persisted, and the match was eventually called off without a result.
For India, the washout was frustrating, as the batting unit had looked in fine touch, and Suryakumar appeared to have rediscovered his rhythm after a lean patch. His fluent 39 not out from 24 deliveries was a reminder of why he remains one of the most dangerous T20 batters in the world. Shubman Gill’s return to the top of the order also brought positive signs, as he looked confident and technically assured.
For Australia, the abandonment meant missed opportunities to test their bowling combinations and new players ahead of the T20 World Cup preparations. Mitchell Marsh’s decision to bowl first might have been aimed at exploiting early swing, but the bowlers never got enough time to find their rhythm. Nathan Ellis’s wicket of Gill was the lone bright spot in an otherwise limited outing.
The match’s cancellation also reignited debate over Canberra’s strict floodlight curfew, which restricts play beyond 11 PM local time — a factor that contributed to the final decision to abandon the game. With no result, the five-match series effectively turns into a four-game contest, putting extra weight on the upcoming second T20I.
India will head into the next game with confidence from their strong batting display, while Australia will look to regroup quickly. Despite the washout, the intent and form India showed in their brief innings suggest that the rest of the series could be high-octane — weather permitting.
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