India outclassed Australia by 48 runs in the fourth T20I of the five-match series at Carrara Oval in Queensland. India posted a modest total of 167/8 in 20 overs. Shubman Gill was the top scorer, while useful contributions from Abhishek Sharma, Axar Patel, and Shivam Dube helped India cross the 160-run mark.

For Australia, Nathan Ellis (3/21 in 4 overs) and Adam Zampa (3/45 in 4 overs) kept things under control and restricted India below 180.

While chasing 168, Australia lost wickets at regular intervals and collapsed from 91/3 to 119 all out. They lost seven wickets for just 28 runs as India’s spinners tightened their grip on the match. Axar Patel (2/20 in 4 overs) and Shivam Dube (3/3 in 1.2 overs) wreaked havoc, bowling out Australia for 119. Axar was economical, conceding only 20 runs in his spell and delivering 12 dot balls.

Shivam Dube struck twice, removing the dangerous Tim David. Varun Chakravarthy sealed the game by dismissing Glenn Maxwell with a googly that the returning batter failed to read. Mitchell Marsh was Australia’s top scorer.

The convincing win thrilled the crowd and ensured India could not lose the series, with only one match left at the Gabba.

Zampa’s Return Boosts Australia

Adam Zampa, back in the side after the birth of his second child, delivered vital breakthroughs for Australia. Early in the innings, Abhishek Sharma was dropped off Xavier Bartlett but recovered quickly, hitting Zampa for a six. Zampa, however, struck back two balls later as Abhishek tried to repeat the shot and was caught at long-on by David.

Zampa returned in the 13th over and was hit for two sixes by Suryakumar Yadav, who looked set for a big finish. But Zampa got his revenge again when Suryakumar picked out David in the deep. In his final over, Zampa dismissed Tilak Varma, who gloved a sweep to the keeper, and trapped Jitesh Sharma lbw on review. His spell of 3 for 25 helped slow India’s scoring in the latter half of the innings.

Ellis Continues His Fine Form

Nathan Ellis once again proved his T20 brilliance with figures of 3 for 21. Though his first four deliveries went for 10 runs, he adjusted superbly. His next 21 balls cost only 11 runs as he bowled three of the final nine overs.

He removed Shivam Dube with a slower ball, ended Shubman Gill’s stay with another off-speed delivery, and bowled tight yorkers in the death overs. His ability to mix pace and accuracy kept India in check.

Despite Ellis’s efforts, India still reached a defendable total and their bowlers did the rest.

Axar Patel Spins a Web Around Australia

Axar Patel, who had played a limited role in the first three matches, produced his best performance of the series. His flat, accurate left-arm spin proved difficult for the Australian batters to handle.

Matthew Short, opening the innings, started aggressively but fell lbw to a sweep shot after India successfully reviewed the decision. Axar struck again when Josh Inglis, looking rusty after a break, charged down the pitch and missed the ball completely.

His economical spell broke Australia’s rhythm and set the tone for India’s dominance.

Dube’s Double Strike Turns the Game

Shivam Dube, introduced in the middle overs, changed the game with two crucial breakthroughs. Mitchell Marsh looked dangerous after settling in, but Dube dismissed him with a slower short ball that Marsh pulled straight to deep square leg. Arshdeep Singh took a fine running catch at the boundary.

Moments later, Tim David smashed Dube for a massive six over long-on, almost hitting the roof. But Dube hit back the very next ball, forcing a top edge that landed safely in the covers. Josh Philippe soon followed, mistiming a shot to short midwicket.

When Maxwell walked in, Australia needed a miracle. But with limited match practice after his wrist injury, he couldn’t rescue them. India’s spin trio exploited the conditions perfectly — a sign of what Australia might face in the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next year.