Post by : Maya Rahman

The first Twenty20 International (T20I) between Australia and India was abandoned on Wednesday after persistent rain in Canberra disrupted play at the Manuka Oval. The weather allowed only 9.4 overs of play before the umpires were forced to call off the match, leaving fans disappointed but entertained by India’s solid start.

India, batting first after the toss, looked promising as they reached 97 for 1 in under ten overs. Shubman Gill remained unbeaten on 37, while skipper Suryakumar Yadav was not out on 39 when the game was eventually washed out. Both batsmen played aggressively, showcasing quick footwork and strong strokes that kept the scoreboard moving briskly.

The pair’s quick partnership of 54 runs in just 4.4 overs gave the spectators a glimpse of India’s attacking intent before rain returned to spoil the contest.

India’s opening batsman Abhishek Sharma provided a bright start but was dismissed for 19 after mistiming a shot off Nathan Ellis, sending the ball to Tim David at mid-off. His wicket fell just moments before the drizzle interrupted play for the first time.

Following that delay, the match was officially reduced to 18 overs per side, but the weather had other plans, forcing a complete abandonment soon after play resumed.

Despite the limited play, Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill made sure the fans at the Manuka Oval witnessed some exciting cricket. Their fluent stroke play and confident running between the wickets lifted India’s momentum. Yadav, known for his inventive batting style, struck boundaries at regular intervals, while Gill anchored the innings calmly.

Their partnership reflected India’s deep batting strength and readiness for the upcoming matches in the five-game series.

The Australian bowlers had little chance to settle into a rhythm. Nathan Ellis was the only wicket-taker, claiming Abhishek Sharma early, while other bowlers like Sean Abbott and Adam Zampa struggled to find their footing before rain took over.

The unpredictable Canberra weather left the hosts frustrated, as they hoped to test their bowling attack against India’s strong batting line-up.

Before the match, the Indian camp received unfortunate injury news. All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy was ruled out of the first three T20s due to neck spasms, which came as he was still recovering from a quadriceps injury suffered during the One-Day International (ODI) series.

Adding to India’s worries, batsman Shreyas Iyer suffered a lacerated spleen while fielding in the Sydney ODI the previous weekend. He required hospital treatment and is expected to miss more games, forcing the team management to consider lineup changes for the upcoming matches.

The washed-out opener means both teams will head into the second T20I in Melbourne on Friday with the series still level at 0-0. The match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) promises to be crucial, as both sides will be eager to make a strong comeback after the weather-disrupted start.

For India, the focus will be on maintaining batting form and managing player fitness, while Australia will look to capitalize on home conditions and strengthen their bowling execution.

The five-match T20 series holds great importance for both teams as they prepare for the T20 World Cup scheduled to be held in India early next year. India enters the series as one of the favourites to win the global event, backed by their depth and experience in the shorter format.

Despite the rain-curtailed start, the Canberra fixture provided glimpses of what fans can expect — aggressive batting, competitive bowling, and a fierce contest between two of cricket’s strongest nations. The anticipation now shifts to Melbourne, where clear skies are hoped to allow a full day of exciting T20 action.

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