Australia’s fast-bowling excellence once again took center stage at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Friday night, as Josh Hazlewood produced one of the most clinical spells of T20 bowling in recent memory. While India ultimately fell short in the second T20I against Australia, young batter Abhishek Sharma’s admiration for the seasoned pacer became one of the highlights of the post-match narrative. Abhishek Sharma
Hazlewood’s spell of 3 for 13 in four overs with the new ball dismantled India’s top order, leaving them tottering at 49/5 inside eight overs. The 34-year-old bowled with precision, control, and an almost Test-match-like discipline that stunned India’s batters — including the in-form Abhishek Sharma.
Despite Hazlewood’s brilliance, it was Abhishek’s fighting knock of 68 off 37 balls that gave India a glimmer of respectability as they managed to post 125 before being bowled out in 18.4 overs. Australia chased down the target with four wickets to spare, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series after the first game in Canberra was washed out. Abhishek SharmaAbhishek SharmaAbhishek SharmaAbhishek SharmaAbhishek Sharma
“Never Seen Anything Like This”: Abhishek’s Honest Admission
Speaking after the match, Abhishek Sharma, who has quickly become one of India’s brightest T20 stars, was effusive in his praise for Hazlewood. Abhishek Sharma
“I was watching him in the ODIs as well, so we knew he’d give us a challenge,” Abhishek said at the post-match press conference. “But the way he bowled today even surprised me. I haven’t seen something like this in T20s. It was something new for me as a batter who wants to dominate. But he had a plan, and he just executed it perfectly.” Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek faced Hazlewood for only four deliveries, scoring six runs — one of which was a thick edge that flew past the wicketkeeper for four. The left-hander admitted that even though the boundary came off luck, it made him appreciate Hazlewood’s accuracy even more. Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek Sharma got absolute donuts out of Travis Head, but his reaction to finding out Josh Hazlewood wasn’t playing the rest of this series was priceless 😂 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/mMaz0fAnQN
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 31, 2025
“He just didn’t give any room. Every ball was hitting the perfect length. It was one of those spells where you realize how much experience and precision matter at this level,” he added.
Hazlewood’s Masterclass at the MCG
Josh Hazlewood’s spell was a reminder that T20 success isn’t always about raw pace — it’s about control and adaptability. Bowling a tight off-stump line and extracting bounce from the surface, Hazlewood used the new ball like a surgeon’s scalpel.
By the time his spell ended, India’s hopes were in tatters. His final figures — 3/13 with 16 dot balls — were among the most economical in T20I history at the MCG.
🇮🇳 Abhishek’s Counterattack: Fighting Spirit Amid Chaos
With India collapsing early, Abhishek Sharma held his ground. Coming in at No.4 the southpaw absorbed the early pressure before unleashing his attacking instincts. His 68 off 37 balls included nine fours and three sixes, many of which came against Australia’s spinners Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar.
Abhishek’s knock was not only his highest T20I score but also a reminder of his potential as a finisher. He played fearlessly, pulling and driving with intent, ensuring that India crossed the 120-mark after being in deep trouble at one stage.
“I just wanted to keep playing my shots and back my instincts. You can’t go into a shell against a side like Australia,” he said. “Even though we lost early wickets, I knew that one good partnership could get us back in the game. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen, but I’ll take the learnings.”
Relief and Respect — Abhishek’s Reaction to Hazlewood’s Exit
When informed that Hazlewood would miss the rest of the T20I series to prepare for the upcoming 2025–26 Ashes, Abhishek couldn’t hide his relief.
“Oh, is he?” he asked with a smile. “I didn’t know this, but obviously… I mean, he’s good enough to play all formats. But I was enjoying this challenge because as a batter, you have to somehow face the world-class bowlers, and that’s what I was trying to do.”
It was a light-hearted response, but one that underlined the mutual respect between rising stars and established greats.
Australia’s Clinical Chase
Chasing 126, Australia lost early wickets but cruised home courtesy of contributions from Travis Head (31), Tim David (29*), and Glenn Maxwell (24). India’s bowlers, led by Arshdeep Singh and Ravi Bishnoi, tried to make inroads but were unable to contain the chase on a batting-friendly surface.
The win gave Australia a 1-0 series lead, setting up an important third T20I in Hobart on Sunday.
The Bigger Picture: Lessons for India
The middle order showed some fight too. Still, the top order just couldn’t handle the pressure from steady pace bowling, and that’s got to be a worry with the T20 World Cup coming up next year.
Coach Gautam Gambhir emphasized in the post-match debrief that India needs to adapt quicker against high-quality seam attacks, especially on bouncier surfaces.
Looking Ahead: Hobart Awaits
The third T20I in Hobart offers India a chance to bounce back and level the series. With Hazlewood unavailable, Australia might turn to Sean Abbott or Nathan Ellis for new-ball duties, while India could consider adding an extra batter to strengthen their middle order.
Abhishek, meanwhile, will look to continue his hot streak and cement his reputation as one of India’s most dynamic young talents.
As the left-hander summed it up perfectly:
“Every match is a new lesson. You either win, or you learn — and today, I learned a lot from Josh Hazlewood.”
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