Hobart, November 2, 2025 - Washington Sundar's explosive batting display stole the limelight as India secured a thrilling five-wicket victory against Australia in the third T20 International at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart. This win not only levels the series at 1-1 but also marks the first time Australia has lost a T20I at this venue, ending their six-match winning streak.
Australia, after opting to bat, posted a competitive total of 186 for six, thanks to Tim David's powerful 74 off 38 balls and Marcus Stoinis's aggressive 64 off 39. Arshdeep Singh's impressive return to the side saw him take 3 crucial wickets, earning him the Player of the Match award. He removed the dangerous Travis Head and Josh Inglis early on, putting Australia at 14 for two. However, David and Stoinis counter-attacked, with David hitting a massive 129-meter six, the biggest ever recorded by Fox Cricket. Varun Chakravarthy also contributed with two wickets, though Shivam Dube proved expensive.
In response, India chased down the target in 18.3 overs, finishing at 188 for 5. The chase was characterized by contributions from the top order, with Abhishek Sharma (25 off 16) providing a quick start and Suryakumar Yadav (24 off 11) continuing the momentum. However, it was Washington Sundar's explosive innings of 49 not out from just 23 balls that ultimately sealed the victory for India. Sundar's innings included 4 sixes and 3 fours, showcasing his power-hitting ability. He formed a crucial partnership with Jitesh Sharma, who remained unbeaten on 22 off 12 balls.
India's chase was the third-highest successful run chase in T20Is in Australia. Interestingly, this was only the second time in T20 history that a team has successfully chased over 180 runs without any batter scoring a fifty. The first instance was earlier this year, when England chased 197 against West Indies, with Jos Buttler scoring 47 as the top score.
The absence of Josh Hazlewood in the Australian lineup also contributed to India's cause. Nathan Ellis was the pick of the Australian bowlers, taking 3 for 36. However, the rest of the attack struggled to contain the Indian batting lineup.
Suryakumar Yadav praised the collective team effort and highlighted the importance of winning the toss. He also lauded the performances of Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah as a bowling pair. Washington Sundar, reflecting on his performance, emphasized the importance of enjoying the game and focusing on clear objectives during practice.
With the series now level, both teams will look to gain an advantage in the fourth T20I, which will be played at the Bill Pippel Oval in Gold Coast on November 6. The final T20I will be held in Brisbane on November 8.
