India are taking on Australia in the first T20I of the five-match series at the Gabba Cricket Ground in Brisbane. This is an important match for the Men in Blue as a win would mean that they seal a seris victory by a margin of 3-1. India even started this match on the front foot, with Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill off to a flying start and hitting a fifty-run opening stand.
However, due to inclement weather and lightning the match was stopped after 4.5 overs. The weather conditions are still not improving and there is a chance that the match might be called off due to rain.
India are leading 2-1 in the series, and need to win the match in order to snatch a series victory. However, if the rain washes out the fifth T20I, the advantage would lie with India. A washed out game means that the series would remain 2-1, and India would win the series Down Under.
A series win in Australia will act as a massive boost for India heading into the T20 World Cup 2026 which will take place in India and Sri Lanka in February-March.
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Why Was Play Stopped?
Despite no rain, there was heavy lightning, and it was unsafe for the players to stay at the ground. As a precautionary measure, the players were asked to leave. Even the fans at the open stands were asked to take shelter due to severe weather, with the big screen displaying that it is unsafe to stay in the open.
Matthew Hayden, who was commentating, also explained that there is a heavy storm approaching the stadium, and it then started raining heavily within the next few minutes.