Sundar’s Stunning 3–3 Helps India Crush Australia by 48 Runs, Seal Series Lead

Carrara (Gold Coast), Nov 2025 : Washington Sundar delivered one of his finest T20I spells, finishing with extraordinary figures of 3 for 3, as India dominated Australia by 48 runs in the fourth T20I at Carrara Oval on Thursday. With this victory, India took a commanding 2–1 lead in the five-match series, placing Australia in a must-win position for the final game in Brisbane.

India posted a competitive total of 167/8 on a sluggish, two-paced surface offering variable bounce. While it appeared to be a par score, the Indian bowlers transformed the match with a collective, disciplined performance. All six bowlers used by captain Suryakumar Yadav claimed at least one wicket, with Sundar, Axar Patel, and Shivam Dube emerging as the standout performers.

Australia seemed well placed at 67/1 in the ninth over, but their chase dramatically unraveled thereafter. The hosts lost nine wickets for just 52 runs, collapsing to 119 all out in 18.2 overs. India’s spin trio — Sundar, Axar, and Varun Chakaravarthy — built unrelenting pressure, while the seamers backed them up superbly.

Australia began positively, with Matthew Short and skipper Mitchell Marsh striking six boundaries in the Powerplay. Axar Patel provided India’s first breakthrough by trapping Short lbw when the batter missed a sweep. Axar soon struck again, bowling Josh Inglish with a delivery that skidded on.

Marsh looked in good rhythm, but Shivam Dube dismissed him with a clever slower ball that the Australian captain mis-hit to backward square leg. This dismissal opened the floodgates for India, as Australia’s middle order crumbled under pressure.

Tim David miscued a pull shot off Dube and was caught at extra cover, while Josh Philippe followed soon after — chipping a simple catch to short mid-wicket off Arshdeep Singh. Glenn Maxwell, who had been Australia’s hero in earlier matches, was undone by a sharp googly from Varun Chakaravarthy that clipped the top of off stump.

With Australia reeling, Sundar took charge and dismantled the lower middle order. He trapped Marcus Stoinis lbw with a delivery that straightened just enough and then removed Xavier Bartlett with a comfortable return catch off a mistimed chip. The wicket also marked Sundar’s 50th T20I dismissal, a personal milestone.

Jasprit Bumrah returned for a clinical second spell, castling Ben Dwarshuis to claim his 99th T20I wicket, while Sundar fittingly ended the innings by having Adam Zampa caught at long-on.

Earlier in the evening, India’s innings was anchored by Shubman Gill, who scored a well-constructed 46, and Abhishek Sharma, who contributed a brisk 28. Despite regular wickets, India managed to push the total past 165 thanks to useful middle-order contributions and a late flourish. For Australia, Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa were the pick of the bowlers, both taking three wickets each.

India’s comprehensive performance — disciplined batting, sharp fielding, and exceptional bowling — ensured a convincing victory and a series lead. Australia will now need to regroup quickly ahead of the final T20I in Brisbane on Saturday.

Brief Scores:
India 167/8 (Shubman Gill 46, Abhishek Sharma 28; Nathan Ellis 3/21, Adam Zampa 3/45)
Australia 119 all out in 18.2 overs (Mitchell Marsh 30, Matthew Short 25; Washington Sundar 3/3, Axar Patel 2/20)
India won by 48 runs.