The third T20I match between Australia and India took place in Hobart on November 2, 2025. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and opted to bowl first, attempting to recover from a recent loss by 125 runs in Melbourne. This match placed additional pressure on key Indian batsmen, including Yadav himself, Shubman Gill, and Sanju Samson.
Match Highlights
India’s chances were somewhat bolstered by the absence of Australian bowler Josh Hazlewood, who was resting for the upcoming Ashes series. The Indian bowlers began strongly, with Arshdeep Singh making an immediate impact. Singh dismissed Travis Head in his first over, thanks to a catch from Yadav. He later added Jos Inglis to his wicket tally.
- Arshdeep Singh: 2 wickets
- Varun Chakaravarthy: 2 wickets
Varun Chakaravarthy also contributed significantly, claiming two wickets, including that of Mitchell Marsh, and then bagging Mitchell Owen for a golden duck. Despite these dismissals, Tim David was aggressive at the crease. Promoted up the batting order, he reached a rapid fifty in just 23 balls, marking a critical performance amid skepticism about India’s batting strategy.
Tim David’s Impact
David’s innings was notable not only for its speed but also for its style. He hit the ball to all parts of the ground and formed a 50run partnership with Marsh before his dismissal. The innings included a moment where he survived a dropped catch by Washington Sundar. His performance signaled his growth as a batsman capable of anchoring innings, positioning him as a candidate for the World Cup squad.
Lineups and Strategies
India made several changes ahead of this match, bringing Jitesh Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, and Washington Sundar into the squad. In contrast, Australia substituted Sean Abbott for Hazlewood. The Bellerive Oval pitch provided favorable conditions for batting, with Mitchell Marsh describing it as a “belter.” His team aimed to set a substantial total.
Suryakumar Yadav reflected on the pressures of the previous match and acknowledged the quality of Hazlewood’s bowling in the powerplay. He also noted the need for a solid batting performance, whether batting first or chasing.
Criticism of India’s Batting Order
India’s management faced scrutiny regarding its batting order, particularly with Sanju Samson being promoted to No. 3. Former players criticized this strategy, suggesting it disrupted the team’s balance. Srikkanth called it a “kneejerk reaction,” emphasizing the need for batters to have fixed positions in the order to build their confidence.
Sadagoppan Ramesh echoed the sentiment, stating that constant changes to the batting order were detrimental to players like Samson, who needed stability to thrive. The team hopes to address these concerns in future matches, as their performance in the series continues to be under the spotlight.