Rain plays spoilsport as 1st T20I between India and Australia gets called off
The first T20I of the three-match series between India and Australia at the Manuka Oval in Canberra was caled off due to rain.
In a major disappointment for the fans, who turned up in great numbers at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on Wednesday, the first T20I between India and Australia was called off due to rain. India got off to a flying start and were cruising in their innings after being invited to bat first in the series opener, however, rain had the final say in the game in Canberra.
India were 97/1 in 9.4 overs after an unbeaten 39 from skipper Suryakumar Yadav and 37 not out from opener Shubman Gill when rain interrupted play for the second time at the Manuka Oval. The first delay, which occurred after the 5th over, was brief, but the second, after 9.4 overs, resulted in a long break before the match was abandoned.
The weather forecast was far from promising in Canberra ahead of the 1st T20I. However, the fans were hopeful of witnessing a reduced contest between the top two T20I teams. As it turned out, only 9.4 overs were bowled before the match was called off. Asked to bat first in the game, India got off to a strong start courtesy of openers Abhishek Sharma and Gill.
The duo added 35 runs for the first wicket before Abhishek was dismissed by Nathan Ellis in the 4th over as the pacer drew the first blood for Australia in the game. Abhishek scored 19 off 14 balls, laced with 4 fours, before getting caught by Tim David off Ellis' bowling.
Following his departure, Gill joined hands with Suryakumar to continue the momentum as the duo smashed the Aussie bowlers all around the park. Gill and Suryakumar shared an unbroken 62-run stand for the 2nd wicket to power India to 97/1 in 9.4 overs before a second rain delay led to the match being cancelled.
While Gill looked in fine form en route to his unbeaten 37 off 20 balls, which was studded with 4 fours and a solitary six, Suryakumar roared back to form for India with a blazing 39 not out off 24 deliveries, laced with three fours and two sixes. With the series opener ending in a no result, the series remains poised at 0-0 with four matches to go.
Suryakumar Yadav gets back among the runs for India
The biggest positive from India from the rain-marred first T20I against Australia was skipper Suryakumar's return to form. The star batter, who had struggled for consistency so far this year and endured a woeful campaign in the Asia Cup 2025, looked in sublime touch during his unbeaten 39 off 24 balls at the Manuka Oval.
The Indian skipper came out to bat at no.3 after Abhishek's dismissal in the 4th over and set the tone with a six against Josh Hazlewood in the next over. Suryakumar took the Aussie bowlers to the cleaners to race close to his half-century before the game was called off.
The Indian skipper had managed only 100 runs in 11 innings in T20Is for India in 2025 before the Australia clash on Wednesday. His return to form is great news for India with four games remaining in the series. Suryakumar also completed 150 sixes in T20Is en route to his unbeaten 39, becoming only the second Indian after Rohit Sharma to achieve the feat.