Australia and India have both been left frustrated as the first T20 international of the five-match series was abandoned after 9.4 overs in Canberra. But there was just enough time for a 24-ball cameo from Suryakumar Yadav that suggested the India captain is ready to rediscover his best form on an international stage.
Mitch Marsh won the toss and elected to field before the tourists set out to make a fast start with India opener Abhishek Sharma (19 off 14) taking the attack to the Australia bowlers from the first ball. Abhishek clubbed four boundaries in an entertaining if all too brief knock before failing to pick a slower ball from Nathan Ellis’s bag of tricks. The India batter’s mis-timed drive popped up to Tim David at mid-off as Suryakumar came to the crease and picked up where the emerging opener had left off.
Players were forced from the field for the first time after Australia had restricted India to 43 for 1 from five overs. But Suryakumar (39 not out) and opener Shubman Gill (37 not out off 20) caught fire when play resumed. The India pair put on another 54 runs from 4.4 overs – including 15 from the four balls in what would be the last stretch of play – before the heavens opened up once again. The match was eventually abandoned with India on 97 for 1 and in command.
The washout meant a sold out crowd at Manuka Oval missed an opportunity to see India quick Jasprit Bumrah back in action for the first time since terrorising Australia during the Test series last summer. But Bumrah should be raring to go when the two sides meet again on Friday for the second T20I in Melbourne.
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Match abandoned
Unfortunately – but unsurprisingly – the first T20 between Australia and India has been abandoned.
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