Australia skipper Mitchell Marsh felt that the side would have been able to chase down the target of 168 at first, but admitted that India bowled incredibly well following his side's 48-run defeat in the fourth T20I of the five-match series. This loss saw the hosts lose their second game on a trot while the Men in Blue took an unassailable 2-1 lead in the series. Even if Marsh & Co. go on to win the fifth game, they will only be able to draw the series. On the other hand, the visitors will go on to seal the series if they win the fifth and final game.
Marsh on making multiple changes to the XI
Marsh also opened up on making multiple changes to the side's playing XI for the fourth T20I and remarked that they want to give more opportunities to more players in the format. He also pointed out that with the Ashes around the corner, they have no choice but to let players leave to play domestic cricket. Notably, Australia had made four changes to the playing XI for the match in Queensland.
"I thought 167 was par. It provided us with a few challenges. We failed to go over the line. Fair play to India and they are a world class team. [Too much chopping and changing] It is great. You ideally want to have a full-strength side at all times but the boys have a big series coming up. We want to give more boys the opportunity. More opportunities these guys get, I think is great especially in a high-pressure game like this," Marsh said in the post-match ceremony.
India defend sub-par total in 4th T20I
Meanwhile, after being invited to bat first, India posted an sub-par total of 167/8 on the board. Shubman Gill (46) was the top run-getter while the likes of Abhishek Sharma (28), Shivam Dube (22), Suryakumar Yadav (20) and Axar Patel (21*) also posted decent scores. On the other hand, Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa were the pick of the bowlers, racking up three scalps each.
In reply, the hosts started well and looked to be well in the game at 70/2. However, it all went downhill once their skipper's wicket fell for 30 runs in the ninth over. Axar Patel and Shivam Dube contributed immensely for India with the ball and pickked up two scalps each whille Washington Sundar was the top performer in the department with three wickets under his name. The Baggy Greens ended up completely capitulating under pressure and got bundled out for only 119 runs in 18.2 overs.