India\u2019s innings never quite recovered from a top-order collapse triggered by Josh Hazlewood, who picked a sensational 3-13 by extracting seam movement and bounce and maintaining a probing length that left the visitors\u2019 reeling in powerplay.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Amidst all this, Abhishek mixed power with placement and found gaps with ease in his counterattacking knock laced with eight fours and two sixes. He also stitched a 56-run stand with Harshit Rana, who was promoted to number seven and made it count by making 35 off 33 balls.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India\u2019s innings began with a burst of intent from Abhishek, who flicked and lofted Xavier Bartlett for four and six respectively. But Australia managed to halt India\u2019s momentum as Shubman Gill miscued a loft to mid-off against Hazlewood, while Sanju Samson\u2019s stay was short-lived as Nathan Ellis got one to seam back in and trap him lbw.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With the wicket offering movement, India\u2019s batters struggled to settle as Suryakumar Yadav edged behind off Hazlewood, while Tilak Varma miscued a flick to deep square leg and handed Hazlewood his second scalp of the over, as India lost four wickets in powerplay.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
A mix-up leading to Axar Patel\u2019s run-out added to India\u2019s woes, and with their innings in disarray, Rana and Abhishek hit a couple of boundaries each to help India regain some rhythm. Abhishek continued to bat with flair and got his half-century off just 23 balls.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But Rana\u2019s dismissal - caught by Tim David off Bartlett - ended a vital stand that kept India afloat. After that, India\u2019s innings nosedived as Shivam Dube nicked behind off Bartlett, while Kuldeep Yadav holed out to mid-on off Marcus Stoinis.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
A mix-up leading to Axar Patel\u2019s run-out added to India\u2019s woes, and with their innings in disarray, Rana and Abhishek hit a couple of boundaries each to help India regain some rhythm. Abhishek continued to bat with flair and got his half-century off just 23 balls.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Brief Scores: India 125 in 18.4 overs (Abhishek Sharma 68, Harshit Rana 35; Josh Hazlewood 3-13, Nathan Ellis 2-21) against Australia<\/p>\r\n\r\n