QUEENSLAND – Australia’s chase fell apart under Jasprit Bumrah’s ice-cold control, as India sealed a 48-run win in the fourth T20 on Thursday. The moment that summed it up was Ben Dwarshuis losing his stumps to a dipping, slower yorker, a brutal end to a tough outing.
India reached 167 for eight on a true surface under lights. Abhishek Sharma blazed 52 from 28, all clean pulls and crisp lofted strokes that punished the short square boundaries. Captain Suryakumar Yadav added a lively 38, then Shivam Dube finished with late power, including a huge hit into Pacific Pines.
Australia’s bowlers worked hard, with recalls for Ben Dwarshuis and Xavier Bartlett. Ben Dwarshuis grabbed the first breakthrough, and Abhishek caught at deep point after a reprieve earlier in the over. The rest of his spell proved costly as India kept attacking the gaps and running hard.
Chasing 168 with the series level at 1-1, Australia began fast. Matt Short and Mitchell Marsh motored to 52 without loss in the power play. Marsh crunched drives through cover and mid-off, finding the rope with ease.
Then India’s spinners took charge. Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy tightened the screws, with Washington Sundar joining in. Axar removed Short for 32, then trapped Josh Inglis for a duck, his arm-ball gripping and skidding.
Washington’s late spell ripped through the tail, highlighted by a sharp caught-and-bowled to remove Glenn Maxwell. His figures, 3 for 3, told the story.
Bumrah Targets the Death
At 114 for 6 in the 16th over, with Marcus Stoinis on 16 and fighting, Ben Dwarshuis walked out to face a fresh Bumrah. India’s spearhead had already tied down the top order and finished with 1 for 27 from four.
What followed was classic Bumrah. He went slower and fuller, four balls on a string, all based on the yorker. Dwarshuis backed away to swing across the line. Bumrah followed him, the ball dipped at the last second, and smacked into middle and leg. The stumps lit up. Dwarshuis was out for 5 from 7, and Bumrah edged toward a personal milestone with his 99th T20I wicket.
In commentary, Aaron Finch praised the precision and disguise, noting that Dwarshuis was set up and beaten by design.
Washington returned and trapped Adam Zampa first ball. Australia folded for 119 in 18.2 overs, their lowest T20I total at home since 2022. India now leads 2-1, with the decider coming up at the Gabba on Saturday. Australia’s absences, including Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood on Test duty, were felt as the middle order faltered against spin and change of pace.
Ben Dwarshuis, A Career Built on Grit
Ben Dwarshuis has carved out a career through persistence. Born on 23 June 1994 in Kareela, New South Wales, and of Dutch heritage, the left-armer built his game in the Sutherland Shire. He made his state debut in the 2016-17 Matador BBQs One-Day Cup, after years of grade cricket and injury setbacks.
The Big Bash made him a regular. With the Sydney Sixers, he played key roles in title runs in 2020-21 and 2021-22. His first T20 five-for, 5 for 31 against the Perth Scorchers in 2021-22, underlined his value at the death.
His Australia debut came in April 2022 in a T20I in Lahore, where he took 1 for 27 in a tight chase. An ODI followed later that year, then a place in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy squad. In the IPL, Kings XI Punjab picked him up in 2018, and Delhi Capitals brought him in during 2021 as a replacement for Chris Woakes, though injury cut short his time.
Overseas, Ben Dwarshuis turned out for Worcestershire in the 2021 and 2025 T20 Blast, had a stint with Durham, and featured for Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred and Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket.
On his Sheffield Shield debut in 2022, he struck with his first ball, removing Sam Whiteman. Earlier this year, he impressed against West Indies and South Africa, moving the new ball and troubling right-handers from over the wicket.
A calf niggle kept him out of the first three T20Is of this series. Recalled on the Gold Coast, he offered variety to an attack short on depth. Bumrah’s late burst left him little room to move.
Reactions From The Camp
Post-match, Ben Dwarshuis kept his chin up. He acknowledged Bumrah’s class and said Australia let a strong start drift. He promised a response in Brisbane, a ground he knows well.
Mitchell Marsh backed his quick. The captain called Ben Dwarshuis a key piece who nails yorkers and swings hard late. He said the group would bounce back quickly.
India’s approach looks settled ahead of the T20 World Cup. Suryakumar’s side has now won seven of their last eight bilateral T20Is against Australia. Axar’s 2 for 18 and Washington’s 3 for 3 underlined the value of control through the middle.
Bumrah, now at 99 T20I wickets, continues to choke scoring at the death, with an economy rate under 7 across formats, which speaks to relentless accuracy.
The decider at the Gabba awaits. Australia needs the steel that saw them topple England in 2023. Dwarshuis will be up for it, whether with the new ball or swinging late with the bat. On this night at Carrara, though, it was Bumrah who owned the moment, with one perfect yorker after another.
