Making a comeback in India’s playing XI for the first time since September, Arshdeep Singh dazzled in the third T20I against Australia at Hobart, picking up three wickets for 35 runs in four overs to restrict the hosts to 186 for 6 in the stipulated 20 overs. Arshdeep Singh‘s effective and economical bowling helped India level the series 1-1 by winning the third T20I by five wickets. Arshdeep Singh dismissed Travis Head, Josh Inglis, and Marcus Stoinis.
The Indian cricket team levelled the five-match India vs Australia T20 2025 series with a five-wicket win over the hosts at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart on Sunday. The win helped India level the series after losing by four wickets in Melbourne on Friday. The opening match in Canberra on Wednesday was abandoned due to rain.
Arshdeep Singh’s 3-fer set the tone for India’s win over Australia
Washington Sundar top-scored for T20 World Cup champions and world No. 1 India with a 23-ball 49 that included three fours and four sixes. Sundar’s knock helped India chase down the target in 18.3 overs. Nathan Ellis (3/36) was the pick of the bowlers for world No. 2 Australia.
Earlier in the day, Arshdeep Singh, who finished with figures of 3/35, helped India restrict Australia to 186/6 on a good batting wicket. Tim David and Marcus Stoinis scored fifties for the Australian cricket team. After India chose to field first, Arshdeep Singh struck twice inside the first three overs, removing Travis Head and Josh Inglis to reduce Australia to 14/2.
However, Tim David changed the tempo with a counterattacking knock in the middle overs, racing to his fifty in only 23 deliveries. He dominated the Indian spinners and smashed eight fours and five sixes in a blistering 74 off just 38 balls. Once David fell, Marcus Stoinis took charge, pacing his innings smartly before finishing with a fiery 64 off 39 balls. He added crucial runs at the death, hitting three boundaries in the 18th over off Arshdeep Singh to eventually help lift Australia beyond 180.
While Arshdeep Singh was the standout bowler, Varun Chakravarthy also contributed well by picking up two wickets for 33 runs. Chasing 187 for a win, India lost Abhishek Sharma (25) and Shubman Gill (15) in the powerplay, and Indian T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav’s exit (24) meant India were at 76/3 in the eighth over. The runs, though, came at a brisk rate.
At the halfway mark, they were comfortably placed at 105/3, with Tilak Varma and Axar Patel keeping the scoreboard ticking through a 35-run stand before Axar’s dismissal in the 12th over. Tilak then combined with Washington Sundar for a brisk 34-run partnership off just 19 balls to bring India within striking distance.
India needed only 42 runs from the final six overs. Although Tilak fell in the 15th over while attempting a big shot, Washington and Jitesh Sharma ensured there were no hiccups, maintaining the tempo and sealing the chase with nine balls to spare. Following his heroic performance with the ball, Former Indian all -rounder Irfan Pathan heaped huge praise on Arshdeep Singh after his match winning spell vs Australia.
Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan heap praises on Arshdeep Singh for his match winning 3-fer vs Australia
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan heaped praise on Arshdeep Singh for his impressive performance in the third T20I against Australia. The match was played on Sunday, November 2, at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart. Opting to bowl first, Arshdeep started brilliantly for India, dismissing Travis Head (6) and Josh Inglis (1) cheaply.
For the hosts, Tim David (74 off 38) and Marcus Stoinis (64 off 39) starred with impressive fifties as Australia posted 186/6 in 20 overs. Arshdeep Singh finished as the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of 3/35 from his four overs. In response, Washington Sundar top-scored with an unbeaten 49 off 23 balls, hitting three fours and four sixes as India chased down the target with five wickets in hand and nine balls remaining.
Following the match, Irfan Pathan shared a video on his YouTube channel, where he lauded Arshdeep for his performance and noted that this was exactly why everyone wanted the left-arm seamer in the playing XI. Pathan said:
“Arshdeep was played, and as soon as he was included, he showed why. He has taken 45 wickets in the powerplay so far. Since his debut, no one has taken more wickets with the new ball in the powerplay than Arshdeep.
That’s why we’ve been saying again and again that Arshdeep’s inclusion is essential, he is a must. And once again, he showed why.”
“Look, he dismissed Travis Head and Inglis. He took two big wickets in the powerplay and bowled brilliantly. Even at the end, when he had to bowl in the death overs, he picked up another wicket.
I had posted on X that he bowled really well with the new ball, but the real challenge would come with the old ball. In his first two overs, he gave away just 12 runs and took two wickets.
In his last two overs, he conceded 23 runs, which was a bit challenging, that’s why I had mentioned it earlier,” he added.
The 41-year-old further lauded the left-arm seamer for delivering an outstanding performance despite not playing regularly and expressed hope that he continues to feature in the XI for the remaining matches. Pathan said:
“Because for any player, no matter how good he is, when he bowls yorkers, even if that’s his strength, making a comeback is never easy. That’s why I said it was challenging, and that’s also why he gave away a few extra runs, which is fair. But credit to Arshdeep.
Even without playing regularly, the way he has performed whenever he’s got a chance is commendable.
Very well done. Now the hope is that he doesn’t get dropped again, that he continues to play in the regular XI. Especially after this performance, there should be absolutely no reason to bench him.”
Arshdeep Singh’s three-wicket spell earned him the Player of the Match award. In the same video, Irfan Pathan further pointed out that on multiple occasions in T20Is, Arshdeep Singh has managed to step out of Jasprit Bumrah’s shadow and produce exceptional performances. Pathan said:
“See, it’s also true that when you bowl alongside Bumrah, you are often overshadowed by him.
But Arshdeep Singh, on several occasions in T20 matches, has tried to step out of that shadow and has performed really well. Bumrah didn’t take a wicket in this match, though he bowled well.”
“But in the same game, Arshdeep Singh picked up three wickets while Bumrah was playing. That shows how impactful his left-arm angle is.
He bowls with great intelligence, and he also has variations, along with swing he can bowl accurate yorkers too. So, this performance was a big positive to witness,” he added.
Arshdeep Singh has now featured in 66 T20Is, picking up 104 wickets, the most by any Indian bowler in the format. The India vs Australia T20 series will now move to Gold Coast for the fourth T20I on Thursday.