India’s cricket team has seized the upper hand in the ongoing T20 International series against Australia, claiming a commanding 48-run victory in the fourth match at Carrara Oval, Queensland, on November 6, 2025. With this win, India now leads the five-match series 2-1, ensuring that the best Australia can now hope for is a draw if they manage to clinch the final encounter at The Gabba in Brisbane on November 8.
The match unfolded with all the drama and tactical intrigue T20 cricket fans crave. After winning the toss, Australian captain Mitchell Marsh opted to bowl first, eager to exploit what little was known about the Carrara surface. “We don’t play a lot here. It is great to be here, will try to get as much information about the surface as we can,” Marsh remarked at the toss, reflecting the uncertainty both teams felt about the pitch’s character.
India’s openers, Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, set about their task with intent, carving out a brisk 56-run partnership off the first 40 balls. Sharma, dropped early, made the most of his reprieve to score a lively 28 off 21 balls, peppered with three boundaries and a six. Gill, meanwhile, anchored the innings with a composed 46 from 39 deliveries, showing glimpses of the technique and temperament that have drawn praise from former players. “Shubman is a ridiculously talented batter. He’s got an amazing technique,” said Shane Watson, expressing confidence in Gill’s ability to adapt across formats.
India’s middle order saw a brief promotion for Shivam Dube, who contributed 22 off 18 balls, while captain Suryakumar Yadav chipped in with a rapid 20 off just 10 deliveries. Yet, the Australian bowlers, notably Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa, applied the brakes in the latter overs. Ellis, with his clever variations, snared 3 wickets for 21 runs, while Zampa’s leg-spin yielded 3 for 45, including the crucial wickets of Sharma and Jitesh Sharma. The Indian innings lost momentum in the death overs, finishing at 167 for 8 from their 20 overs—a total that looked competitive but not insurmountable given the ground’s dimensions.
Australia’s chase began with promise as Marsh and Matthew Short combined for a flurry of boundaries, putting on 67 for the first wicket. Short’s 25 off 19 balls and Marsh’s 30 from 24 seemed to set the stage for a tight finish. But the Indian spinners had other ideas. Axar Patel, who would go on to be named Player of the Match, broke the opening stand by trapping Short lbw and later bowling Josh Inglis for 12. “I got a chance to bat at No. 7 and it helped me understand the wicket,” Patel shared after the match. “The ball was not coming on and there was unexpected bounce. I tried bowling wicket to wicket. If I have an impact for my team it’s the best game for me.”
Shivam Dube then removed Marsh with a canny slower delivery, and from there, Australia’s innings unraveled. Tim David fell to Dube for 14, and the pressure mounted as the required run rate soared. Glenn Maxwell, returning to the side, was bowled by Varun Chakravarthy’s googly—his sixth such dismissal by the spinner in T20Is—leaving Australia in dire straits. Chakravarthy finished with 1 for 26, his variations proving difficult to pick on a pitch offering turn and bounce.
The real star, though, was Washington Sundar, who delivered a spell for the ages. Bowling just eight deliveries, Sundar claimed three wickets for a mere three runs, including the scalps of Marcus Stoinis (lbw) and Xavier Bartlett (caught and bowled) in consecutive balls. With that, he notched his 50th T20I wicket, a significant milestone for the all-rounder. “Sundar took three wickets in five deliveries as India beat Australia by 48 runs in the fourth Twenty20 on the Gold Coast,” reported the Associated Press, highlighting the impact of his brief but devastating spell.
Australia’s collapse was as dramatic as it was swift. From 91 for 4 in the 12th over, they lost their last seven wickets for just 28 runs across 41 deliveries, slumping to 119 all out in 18.2 overs. This total marked Australia’s second lowest in T20Is on home soil, surpassed only by their 111 against New Zealand in Sydney in 2022. “Australia never got going in their chase of 168 and were wiped out for a score of 119,” summarized the Sports Desk, underlining the effectiveness of India’s spin-heavy attack.
Jasprit Bumrah, ever the reliable finisher, claimed his 99th T20I wicket by bowling Ben Dwarshuis with the last ball of his spell. The Indian bowlers, six of whom took wickets, showcased depth and discipline, exploiting the pitch’s variable bounce and using slower balls to great effect. Arshdeep Singh and Dube chipped in with wickets at key moments, while Patel’s all-round display—2 for 20 and 21 not out off 11 balls—provided the finishing touches to a clinical team performance.
For Australia, there will be plenty to ponder ahead of the series decider. Despite promising starts from Marsh and Short, the middle order failed to withstand India’s spin onslaught. “Australia appeared well-placed early in the chase, reaching 67 for 1, before collapsing dramatically. The home side lost nine wickets for just 52 runs,” reported IANS, capturing the sense of opportunity lost for the hosts.
India’s victory means they cannot lose the series, a testament to the team’s resilience and the emergence of new heroes in pressure situations. The first match of the series was washed out, and the teams had traded wins in the next two encounters. Now, with momentum firmly on their side, India will look to close out the series in Brisbane, while Australia must regroup quickly if they are to salvage a draw.
As both teams turn their attention to The Gabba, questions linger: Can Australia find answers to India’s spin puzzle, or will the visitors’ bowlers continue to dictate terms? One thing’s for sure—the stage is set for a thrilling finale to a hard-fought series.
