Australia’s unrelenting T20 aggression was blown to pieces on a tacky pitch by India’s slower bowlers during the fourth T20I in Queensland on Thursday, earning them a crucial 2-1 lead ahead of the final match of the series.
After making a just-above-par 167-run total, India bundled out Australia for only 119 to register a comfortable victory. The hosts’ chase petered out when all-rounder Shivam Dube removed the dangerous Tim David with a slower bouncer and proceeded to remove skipper Mitchell Marsh on 38. Spinners Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar and Axar Patel then broke the back of Australia’s order, sharing six wickets between them for only 49 runs.
Ashwin cautioned that Australia’s all-out aggressive approach could backfire at the World Cup if the wickets proceed to remain slightly two-paced as it was at the Carrara Oval, playing more to India’s strengths.
It is understood that the T20 World Cup will be slotted between the first week of February and March in India with Pakistan to play their matches in Sri Lanka.
“We had said that the fixture that Australia has set for the T20 series has suited India more than anybody else because in all these places, the ball comes a little slower, and even when you go to Brisbane, you will see that the ball comes a little slower. Obviously, the Ashes are coming, so I don’t think they will give you a Test match pitch. So the pitch will come a little slower, and Australia is going to find it hard.
“Many people, after previewing and looking at the team a bit, are saying that Australia’s team is very strong, very powerful for the upcoming World Cup, but if the wicket comes a little slower, sticks a little, or turns a little, the performance we saw today is the kind of performance you might end up seeing from Australia even at the World Cu,” said Ashwin on his YouTube channel.
India in driver’s seat
With their vaunted spin attack complementing the pacers led by Jasprit Bumrah, India’s bowling ammunition could prove deadly if the wickets are on the slower side at the back end of the domestic season in early 2026, felt Ashwin.
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“But how will the wickets be in February-March? Will they stay a bit fresh, will there be dew? Dew maybe will not be late. So keeping all these factors in mind, Australia’s power batting is definitely a risk, but if the wicket comes a little sticky, India is going to be in the driver’s seat,” he added.
“Even today, Australia were in a good position, but when Dube got that double break, especially off Tim David. The last match, I had prepared a bit, and his improvement in batting, especially against spin, has been remarkable. His wicket was then taken by Dube.”
<h2?T20 World Cup in six venues
The Indian Express on Thursday reported that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had shortlisted Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai. It is learnt that three stadiums in Sri Lanka will host the matches, but there is no clarity over which those venues would be.
The Indian Express understands that in a meeting held among top BCCI officials, it was decided that this time the World Cup will be played in fewer cities compared to the 2023 World Cup, and each venue is expected to get at least six games each.
