IND VS AUS 1ST T20I

So, that’s how things ended here in Canberra - a promising contest turned into a soggy disappointment. Now, the focus shifts to Melbourne, where the second T20I will take place on Friday, 31st October. The first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 1.45 pm IST (8.15 am GMT), and both teams will be desperate to get a full game in, though there is rain predicted in Melbourne as well. As this series has now lasted for four matches, expect India to carry their batting flair forward, and Australia to come back stronger with the ball. The stage will be bigger, the crowd louder, and hopefully the skies clearer. Join us an hour early for all the pre-match build-up and insights. Until then, breathe and smile! TAKE CARE! CIAO!

Earlier,  Mitchell Marsh won the toss and decided to bowl first. India’s openers came out firing, with Abhishek Sharma striking a few sweet boundaries before Ellis drew first blood. Then came the drizzle. Covers on. Frustration up. After a brief delay, the match was trimmed to 18 overs per side, and India restarted with intent. Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill showed why they’re the talk of the town. SKY’s classy flicks and Gill’s effortless timing pushed India to 97/1 in just 9.4 overs before… yep, the rain returned. Hazlewood bowled tightly but couldn’t find a breakthrough, while Ellis was the only one with a scalp to his name. In total, we got just more than nine overs of play and two lengthy interruptions.

UPDATE - 4.36 pm IST (11.06 am GMT) - Unfortunately, we won't have any cricket further this evening as the MATCH HAS BEEN CALLED OFF. Steady rain wins in Canberra. The players shake hands with a smile, hiding their frustration, because, well, what else can you do when the skies just won’t stop crying? The crowd waited, the covers came on and off, but eventually, nature had its final say. It is a shame, as we were so well set for a cracker of a game.

UPDATE - 4.22 pm IST (10.52 am GMT) - Latest word suggests 4.50 pm IST (11.20 am GMT) marks the absolute deadline for resumption, which would leave Australia chasing a DLS-adjusted target of 71 from 5 overs. That scenario hinges entirely on the rain relenting completely, and time is rapidly slipping away.

It's a busy cricketing Wednesday as there are a couple of more matches lined up on the roster for the day. The second T20I between Bangladesh and West Indies is set to commence shortly in Chattogram, with the Caribbean visitors holding a 1-0 advantage in the three-match series. Meanwhile, Afghanistan's tour of Zimbabwe sees the opening T20I of their three-match leg also starting shortly in Harare.

UPDATE - 4 pm IST (10.30 am GMT) - Okay, scratch the previous update as the rain has picked up again and it is pelting down steadily. Looks like we are in for a long delay. Bear in mind, we've got roughly an hour and a half remaining to complete this match. It seemingly appears India's innings is done, and we will jump straight into Australia's chase upon resumption. Nothing official yet, but that outcome looks unavoidable at this stage.

As we wait for the rain to relent in Canberra, let us brief you all on what's happening in Guwahati. In the first semifinal of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025, England Women have opted to bowl first against South Africa Women at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium. The Proteas have gotten off to a very positive start through Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits. The winner of this crucial match will qualify for the finale, while the loser will pack up and fly back home. You can follow all the live action from that game by hopping into the other tab.

UPDATE - 3.47 pm IST (10.17 am GMT) - Still raining, but it looks like the intensity has slowed down a bit. Let's hope that it stops completely as quickly as possible. However, given the amount of water taken by the outfield already, it will surely take a bit more time to prepare the ground for resumption. Fingers crossed. Stay tuned for further updates.

UPDATE - 3.27 pm IST (9.57 am GMT) - Well, well, guess who's back? It has started to rain again in Canberra and the players are requested to go off the field. Suryakumar Yadav cradles his bat under his jersey as he walks off. It is getting heavier as we speak. Ugh! It's frustrating. Australia won't mind this stoppage, as the Indians were going all guns blazing after the resumption. But for sure, this contest will be further truncated when we resume again.

Game stopped due to : Rain Stoppage

BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, Suryakumar Yadav throws his hands at it but fails to make any connection this time.

SIX! BLAZED! On a back of a length and around middle, with pace taken off. Suryakumar Yadav waits back on his back foot and muscles it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. The pressure is on Nathan Ellis as 15 runs have come already in just three legal balls so far.

WIDE! On a length but wide outside off, SKY leaves it. Called a wide.

FOUR! SWATTED! On a good length and around off, Suryakumar Yadav gets on top of the bounce and clubs it over mid off for another boundary.

FOUR! Nicely played! Short of a length and wide outside off. Suryakumar Yadav hops up and steers it over the backward point fielder for a boundary, using the pace of the bowler. This brings up the 50-run partnership between Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill!

SIX! TONKED! Tossed up, full and around leg, Shubman Gill backs away, crouches and sweeps it over the deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

A low full toss, around middle, Suryakumar Yadav gets down and sweeps it a bit uppishly but in the gap towards deep square leg for one.

Nagging length and around middle, Shubman swats it to long on for a single off his back foot.