India have been left frustrated after rain washed out the Twenty20 series opener against Australia at a cold and dreary Manuka Oval.

The visitors got off to a strong start, surging to 1-97 off 9.4 overs when the heavens opened in Canberra on Wednesday night.

The match had already been shortened to 18 overs apiece after a 45-minute stoppage earlier in the innings.

After being sent in by Australia captain Mitch Marsh, India’s openers raced to 35 off 3.5 overs before Abhishek Sharma (16) mistimed a wild drive off the bowling of Nathan Ellis to Tim David at mid-off.

A 62-run partnership between captain Suryakumar Yadav (39 not out) and opener Shubman Gill (37no) had India in a commanding position as the innings passed its midway point.

Australia should have dismissed Suryakumar for 20 a

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