Persistent rain brought an abrupt end to the opening Twenty20 international between Australia and India at Manuka Oval on Wednesday, leaving Suryakumar Yadav unbeaten on 39 and Shubman Gill stranded on 37.
After being sent in to bat on a chilly Canberra evening, India raced to 97 for 1 in 9.4 overs before play was halted for the second time due to the weather. Despite hopes of a restart, conditions failed to improve and the umpires eventually called the match off, with no result declared.
India began confidently as Abhishek Sharma, the newest addition to the T20 side, announced himself in style by charging down the wicket to Josh Hazlewood on his very first delivery. The left-hander struck four boundaries in a brisk 19 before falling to Nathan Ellis, undone by a slower ball and caught at mid-off by Tim David.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav continued the assault, smashing a towering six off Hazlewood, before rain first interrupted play with the scoreboard reading 43 for 1 after five overs.
Following a 45-minute delay, play resumed with the match shortened to 18 overs per side. The break did little to slow India’s momentum, as Yadav and Gill combined fluently to keep the runs flowing. However, just as they looked set for a big total, the rain returned—this time for good.
With India on 97 for 1, the match was abandoned, marking a frustrating start to the three-match series. The second T20 is scheduled for Friday, 31 October, at a sold-out Melbourne Cricket Ground, where both teams will hope for clearer skies and a proper contest.
