Australia survived a late scare before riding on skipper Mitchell Marsh’s brisk 46 to clinch a comfortable four-wicket victory over India in the second T20I at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday. The win gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Chasing a modest 126, Australia crossed the finish line with 40 balls to spare, thanks to a strong start from Travis Head (28) and Marsh, whose fluent strokeplay set the tone early. Though India’s bowlers managed to pick up a few wickets late in the chase, the result was never in doubt once the hosts seized control in the Powerplay.

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Earlier, Josh Hazlewood led Australia’s bowling attack with a superb spell of 3 for 13, ripping through India’s top order and setting up the win. Despite opener Abhishek Sharma’s fighting

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