India and Australia meet for 2nd T20I at MCG after rain-hit Canberra match; weather may impact play again in Melbourne. Photo: X.
India and Australia will resume their five-match T20I series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Friday, October 3,1 after the rain-marred opener in Canberra. Both teams will look to secure an early lead and build momentum in the series. Persistent rain played spoilsport at the Manuka Oval, allowing just 9.4 overs of play before officials were forced to abandon the match. Australian captain Mitchell Marsh had won the toss and opted to field first.
India carried their attacking form from the Asia Cup 2025, continuing their fearless approach from the outset. Opener Abhishek Sharma, who had been in blistering touch during the regional tournament in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, got off to a brisk start before falling for 19 after a rare mistimed shot.
Despite Abhishek’s early dismissal, Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav maintained the momentum, treating fans to some exquisite strokeplay. Gill entertained the packed stands with an unbeaten 37 off 20 deliveries, while Suryakumar, showing glimpses of his best form, struck 39 not out off 24 balls, relishing the true pace and bounce of the Canberra surface.
Just as the pair looked set to push India towards a commanding total, heavy rain returned and ended all hopes of a resumption. The Australian bowlers, who had been under attack from both ends, found relief only through the weather intervention..
The weather, however, could once again play a decisive role in the second T20I. Forecasts indicate cloud cover and possible showers over Melbourne, potentially causing a delayed start. Conditions are expected to improve as the evening progresses, offering hope for a full contest.
Temperatures in Victoria’s capital are likely to range between 13°C and 21°C, with humidity near 40% and winds blowing at around 6 km/h – similar to the chilly conditions faced in Canberra.
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
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