Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav rediscovered his rhythm with a stylish, unbeaten knock, but persistent rain spoiled the contest as the first T20 International between India and Australia at the Manuka Oval was abandoned on Wednesday.
Before the weather intervened, the Indian skipper and his deputy, Shubman Gill, treated the Canberra crowd to a glimpse of the team’s batting firepower. The pair added a fluent 62 runs off just 35 deliveries for the second wicket, guiding India to 80 for one in 9.4 overs before the steady drizzle forced the umpires to call off the match.
Suryakumar, who had endured a lean run in 2025 with just 100 runs at a strike rate below 110, looked back to his commanding best. He finished unbeaten on 39 from 24 balls, mixing flair with calculated aggression. His innings featured a memorable pick-up shot off Josh Hazlewood that soared over the square-leg boundary — a vintage stroke that spoke volumes of his regained confidence.
“The Manuka Oval wicket had just the right bounce and carry,” an observer noted, “and Suryakumar made full use of it.” After carefully rotating the strike early on, the captain broke free in the 10th over against Nathan Ellis, smashing a trio of eye-catching shots — an uppish square cut, a crisp off-drive, and a towering pull over mid-wicket — before rain intervened.
Gill, on the other hand, played the perfect foil. The opener looked assured throughout his 37 not out off 20 balls, combining timing and power. His highlight came when he slog-swept left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann over deep mid-wicket for six, signaling India’s intent to accelerate.
Earlier, debutant Abhishek Sharma provided the initial burst with 19 off 14 balls, striking three crisp boundaries off Xavier Bartlett. However, his momentum was cut short when he misread a slower delivery from Ellis, lofting tamely to mid-off.
Despite the interruptions, India managed to score briskly, with 54 runs coming in the 4.4 overs following the first rain break. The wet ball made life difficult for the Australian bowlers, who struggled with their grip and length.
In the end, the contest belonged to the weather gods, as continuous showers left no room for a restart. Yet, for India, the biggest positive was Suryakumar’s authoritative return to form — a timely boost as the series moves ahead.
