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HOBART, Australia, Nov 2, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Washington Sundar hit an unbeaten 
49 as India chased down 187 to beat Australia by five wickets in the third 
Twenty20 international on Sunday and level the series.

The hosts were sent in at Hobart and plundered 186-6, with Tim David 
crunching 74 from 38 deliveries and Marcus Stoinis also lively in a 39-ball 
64.

Arshdeep Singh took 3-35.

But it was never enough and India reached their target with nine balls left. 
Sundar starred but there were contributions across the board.

It left the five-match series finely poised at 1-1 with two games to play at 
the Gold Coast and Brisbane.

"It was really important to win the toss. I think it was 19 or 20 tosses 
(India had lost), so good to break that streak," India skipper Suryakumar 
Yadav said.

"It was a good contribution from everyone with the ball and the bat. Very 
happy to be on the winning side."

Australia badly missed Josh Hazlewood, India's tormentor in the last game at 
Melbourne, who has left the squad to focus on his preparations for the Ashes 
series against England.

His replacement Sean Abbott was slammed for 56 off 3.3 overs.

"Probably felt we were 20 runs short and we've got to find a way to get 
that," said Australia captain Mitchell Marsh.

"But I loved the intent. Tim David was outstanding. Stoinis showed his 
experience.

"The margins in T20 are so small that one or two bad overs or good overs can 
cost you the game."

Dangerman Abhishek Sharma got the chase rolling with a quickfire 25 but he 
tried one slog too many and top-edged Nathan Ellis to wicketkeeper Josh 
Inglis.

Ellis struck again, trapping Shubman Gill lbw on 15, while Yadav went for 24, 
deceived by a slower ball from Stoinis.

But India were in the driving seat at 105-3 by the halfway mark.

Two more wickets fell but, with 35 needed off the last five overs, Sundar 
comfortably saw them home.

Earlier, Travis Head fell for six in the opening over to Singh, who then 
removed Inglis for one.

But David was on fire, racing to a half-century off 23 balls, including a 
monster six that almost left the stadium.

India hauled themselves back into contention when the spin of Varun 
Chakravarthy bamboozled Marsh (11) and Mitchell Owen in successive balls.

David was unrelenting before being taken on the ropes by Tilak Varma off 
Shivam Dube, ending an innings that included eight fours and five sixes.