India Bounce Back In Hobart As Gritty Jitesh-Washington Pair Help Seal Five-Wicket Victory To Level Series

The Indian cricket team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, has bounced back in the T20I series. After the tough defeat in Melbourne, the middle-order batters turned the tide in Hobart as the visitors secured a five-wicket win over Australia.

The middle-order partnership helped India cruise through to a victory in the T20I series. Jitesh putting up key runs while Washington channelling his brute force for sixes instantly put India in top gear as they clinched a thrilling victory at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart.

Washington Sundar-Jitesh Sharma Stand And Deliver In India's Five-Wicket Win Over Australia

India produced a solid start, with Abhishek Sharma looking to go buck-wild with his swings and hits. A 16-ball 25 from the Indian opener kicked things off.

Shubman Gill's inconsistency in the T20I format would be a point of concern, as the Indian batter hasn't reaped much benefit as an opener for the Indian limited-overs side. He was taken down after just 15 runs.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav also tried to go big, picking up two sixes and a boundary in his 24-run knock. But he remained under 30s, as the Aussies were counter-attacking well with the ball.

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Tilak Varma contributed with a sublime 29, while Axar Patel chipped in with 17 runs.

As India started to tremble due to inconsistency, Washington Sundar and Jitesh Sharma stood up firmly against the hosts with their clinical partnership.

Washi picked up an unbeaten 49, and his brute force was on display. He muscled four sixes and three boundaries. Jitesh's unbeaten 22-run knock also helped India chase down the target, levelling the series 1-1.

Australia Displayed Intent, India Was A Step Ahead

Australia had a sluggish start, with openers Travis Head falling for six while captain Mitchell Marsh was dismissed at 11. Wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis was dismissed after just one, putting pressure on the hosts.  

But Tim David flexed his muscle as he led a rampage of a knock, frustrating the Indian bowlers. The number four batter scored a 38-ball 78.

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Mitchell Owen was dismissed for a golden duck, but Marcus Stoinis charged in with a 39-ball 64 to continue Australia's attack. Matt Short also chipped in with a 15-ball 26, as Australia reached 186/6.

But Team India chased down the target, and while the start was unsteady, the middle-order brought balance, and the Washi-Jitesh duo carried the team towards victory.