Australia vs India Highlights 5th T20 at Brisbane: Match abandoned due to rain

A damp end to the tour to Australia but India come out with a series win. Thank you for following our coverage. Do keep reading more on Firstpost. See you soon.

Abhishek Sharma bags another Player of the Series award. He finished as the top run-scorer in the series with 140 runs in four innings.

We started this series with a washout and we end it with the same result as has rain has the final say today. India though continue their T20 dominance and win another series.

We have the official confirmation that there will be no further play. The fifth and final T20I of the series has been washed out and India win the series 2-1.

Washout seems the only likely result now. We are still waiting for the official announcement. In case of abandonement, India will win the series 2-1.

It seems we will not be getting game any further today. It is still not official, but the weather does not seem to be in the mood to allow for any more play.

Rain has stopped at least twice but both the times it has returned quickly to spoil the mood. We also had the crowd cheering as rain lightened but it is back at some intensity again and we continue to wait.

The news is that rain is now gone but the weather has still not cleared up and the covers are on. If everything remains the same, the umpires will be soon out on the ground for an inspection, and we might have the start time really soon.

Meanwhile, in other news, Rishabh Pant today had to retire after being hit thrice on the body during the third day’s play of the second unofficial Test between India A and South Africa A. Pant, returning after a long injury layoff, scored 24 in the first innings and after retiring hurt came out to bat in the second innings.

We do not have a start time in sight. It is still raining in Brisbane and the pitch remains covered. Interestingly, only the squares are under covers while the ground is not thanks to a top-class drainage system at the Gabba. Remember, India were at 52/0 in 4.5 overs when play stopped. We continue our wait…

30 minutes of lost time usually means we start losing overs. So far, there has not been any confirmation whether we have lost any overs or not. Though, it does seem we will not be getting a full game tonight.

Heavy rain has begun at The Gabba, further delaying the start of play in the series decider. The fifth T20I now faces uncertainty with showers expected to continue. India were cruising at 52/0 in 4.5 overs when bad weather stopped play in Brisbane.

Play has been stopped at The Gabba as severe weather warnings hit Brisbane. The delay is expected to last long, with heavy rain and thunderstorms forecasted. Both teams will now wait to see if conditions improve for play to resume. Players have been asked to go back to the dressing room and the area has been cleared.

The umpires have decided to halt proceedings with heavy clouds closing in and more showers visible on the radar, a precautionary measure to protect the pitch and outfield. India 52/0 in 4.5 overs.

Abhishek Sharma has become the fastest batter to complete 1000 runs in T20Is in terms of balls taken. He surpassed Suryakumar Yadav on the list.

Ben Dwarshuis spilled a straightforward chance at fine leg, giving Abhishek Sharma another chance, this time off Nathan Ellis’ bowling. That’s the second dropped catch of the innings as Australia’s fielding woes continues. India Abhishek has been dropped on 5 & 11. India are 47/0 in 4 overs.

Shubman Gill has shifted gears in style at The Gabba, smashing four boundaries in Ben Dwarshuis’ second over. The right-hander’s timing and footwork have been immaculate, punishing every loose delivery. India are off to a flying start at 35/0 after 3 overs.

India are off to a brisk start at The Gabba. Shubman Gill looked fluent with a classy cover drive for four, while Abhishek Sharma is looking aggressive as usual. India move to 19/0 after 2 overs.

Abhishek Sharma smashed Ben Dwarshuis for a superb four over mid-off, showing his trademark aggression. But a ball later, Glenn Maxwell put down a simple chance while running back, a big reprieve for India early in the innings. India move to 11/0 after 1 over.

Ben Dwarshuis starts with a good outswinger as Abhishek Sharma goes for a big shot but misses it completely. The ball moves away sharply.

Openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill are out in the middle as India prepare to bat first in the series decider at The Gabba. Both batters will look to give India a solid start after struggling for consistency in the previous matches. Rain threat is looming large on this game and getting a result would be surprising.

India’s call to rest Tilak Varma for the series-deciding fifth T20I has sparked criticism from fans and experts alike. Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar questioned the logic behind leaving out one of India’s most consistent batters in a must-win game, which will decide the series for both sides. India are looking to take home a trophy from his tour, while Australia aim to win the match and level the series.

India have made one change for the series decider at The Gabba as Rinku Singh comes in for Tilak Varma, who has been rested. The left-handed power-hitter finally gets his chance in the playing XI after sitting out the last few games. Captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed the change at the toss. This means SKY will have to bat at No. 3 in this game. He has been out of form, but will look to regain his rhythm ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.

As long as you’re losing tosses, winning games it’s fine. Great atmosphere, we want to enjoy our cricket. Understanding team goals is key, batters realised that last game and decided to go for 175. Bowlers took wickets, fielders were energetic. Want to continue that. Always good to win bilaterals, but knowing what player fits where and what their fitness levels are. Boys are understanding their roles, that’s what T20 cricket is all about. One change – Tilak is resting, Rinku comes in.

India’s Playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah

Australia’s Playing XI: Mitchell Marsh (c), Matthew Short, Josh Inglis (wk), Tim David, Josh Philippe, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa

Australia captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss and elected to bowl first in the series decider at The Gabba. India skipper Suryakumar Yadav couldn’t hide his laughter after losing yet another toss in the series.

Rinku Singh is expected to make a comeback to India’s playing XI for the series decider at The Gabba. The left-handed finisher, who was rested in the previous game, could return as India look to strengthen their lower order for the final T20I.

The Gabba pitch might provide some assitance to the new-ball fast bowlers, especially under cloudy conditions and with some cracks in the middle. However, batters may have to give themselves some time to score freely on the grass-covered pitch as the ball is expected to come on nicely later in the game.

We are around 15 minutes away from the toss. Rain is predicted in Brisbane later in the day. Let us see how the game goes. Toss in 15 minutes…