India’s openers came out all guns blazing in the fifth and final T20I against Australia at The Gabba in Brisbane on Saturday. Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill made full use of the batting-friendly conditions, racing to 52 for no loss in just 4.5 overs.
Abhishek struck a six and a four in his 13-ball 23, while Gill hammered six boundaries in a brisk 16-ball 29 as India brought up their fifty inside five overs. During his knock, Abhishek also crossed 1,000 runs in T20 Internationals, becoming the second-fastest Indian to reach the milestone — behind Virat Kohli (27 matches). He got there in 28 matches, ahead of KL Rahul (29), Suryakumar Yadav (31), and Rohit Sharma (40).
But just as India were cruising, play was abruptly halted — and not because of rain. The interruption was caused by lightning in the vicinity of the stadium.
As players walked off and ground staff covered the pitch, the giant screen at The Gabba displayed a safety message warning of “severe weather in the area” and advising spectators that it was “unsafe to remain in open areas.” Fans seated in the lower stands were moved to covered sections as a precaution.
Officials later confirmed that play had been stopped due to lightning risk, even though no rain had fallen.
India already hold an unassailable 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
