In a harrowing start to India’s chase during the second T20I against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), opener Shubman Gill was struck on the helmet by a searing bouncer from Josh Hazlewood in the very first over. The incident set the tone for a nightmarish powerplay that saw India’s top order collapse yet again on Australian soil.
Table of Contents
- Gill’s Scary Moment in the First Over
- Another Top Order Collapse for India
- Hazlewood’s Lethal Opening Spell
- Can India Recover From This?
Gill’s Scary Moment in the First Over
The match began with a jolt as Josh Hazlewood, Australia’s premier fast bowler, unleashed a short-pitched delivery that reared up sharply and struck Shubman Gill flush on the side of his helmet. The Indian opener, visibly shaken, took a few moments to recover before continuing his innings. Though he survived the blow, Gill could only manage five runs before edging behind off Hazlewood later in the same over—a sequence that rattled the entire Indian batting unit .
Medical staff rushed to the pitch, but Gill thankfully passed the concussion protocols and remained on the field. Still, the psychological impact of the blow was evident as the Indian batters struggled to find rhythm against Australia’s relentless pace attack.
Another Top Order Collapse for India
This wasn’t just about one wicket—it was the start of a full-scale top order collapse. India lost three wickets inside the powerplay and were reeling at 92/5 after just 13 overs. The familiar script of early implosions continued, with batters failing to negotiate the pace, bounce, and swing on offer under lights at the MCG.
For a team that prides itself on depth and firepower in T20 cricket, such repeated failures at the top raise serious concerns about selection, preparation, and mental resilience in high-pressure overseas conditions.
India’s Powerplay Wickets – Second T20I vs Australia
| Batter | Runs | Balls | How Out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shubman Gill | 5 | 4 | c Inglis b Hazlewood |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | 2 | 3 | b Bartlett |
| Suryakumar Yadav | 1 | 4 | c Inglis b Hazlewood |
Hazlewood’s Lethal Opening Spell
Josh Hazlewood didn’t just take wickets—he dominated. His opening spell of 3-0-9-2 included the head-high delivery to Gill and two crucial dismissals. His ability to maintain line and length while extracting extra bounce made him nearly unplayable in the early overs. Alongside Xavier Bartlett, who claimed Ruturaj Gaikwad’s wicket, Australia’s new-ball bowlers executed their plans to perfection.
Can India Recover From This?
Despite the early carnage, there were flickers of hope. Abhishek Sharma showed intent with a counter-attacking 39 off 24 balls, including a towering 125-meter six that briefly lifted Indian spirits. But with the top order collapse leaving too much pressure on the middle and lower order, the uphill battle proved too steep.
As India looks ahead to the remaining matches in the series, urgent questions must be answered: Is the current top three suited for Australian conditions? Should the team consider a more aggressive or resilient opening combination? And how can they better prepare for short-pitched bowling under pressure?