India’s historic unbeaten run in T20 International cricket, spanning nearly six years with Shivam Dube in the playing XI, has come to an unexpected end. The streak, which lasted 2154 days and saw India win 37 consecutive matches, was finally broken on October 31, 2025, when Australia defeated India by four wickets in the second T20I at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
The End of an Era: Dube’s Unbeaten Streak Snapped
Shivam Dube’s remarkable 37-match unbeaten streak in T20I cricket was shattered in the second T20I against Australia. The last time India lost a T20I match with Dube in the squad was in 2019, against the West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram. Since then, Dube had been part of India’s winning side in 37 consecutive T20Is, a record that now stands as one of the longest unbeaten streaks in T20I cricket.
India’s defeats with Dube in the playing XI are as follows:
- vs Bangladesh, Delhi, 2019
- vs West Indies, Thiruvananthapuram, 2019
- vs Australia, Melbourne, 2025
Despite Dube’s standout contribution with the bat and ball over the years, India fell short in Melbourne, with their batting line-up failing to click.
Australia’s Dominant Chase and India’s Struggles
On a day when India’s top-order crumbled under pressure, Abhishek Sharma emerged as the lone warrior. The left-hander scored a valiant 68 off 37 balls, including eight fours and two sixes, to give India a fighting chance. However, the rest of the Indian batters struggled to find their rhythm. Shubman Gill (5), Sanju Samson (2), Suryakumar Yadav (1), Tilak Varma (0), and Axar Patel (7) managed only 15 runs between them as India was reduced to a dismal 49/5 in just eight overs.
Abhishek Sharma’s partnership with Harshit Rana (35 off 33) helped India reach 125, with only those two crossing double digits. Shivam Dube, batting at No. 8, could only manage 4 runs off 2 balls before being dismissed.
Australia, chasing a modest 126, made quick work of the target. Mitchell Marsh (46 off 26) and Travis Head (28 off 15) set the tone early, blasting 51 runs in just 4.3 overs during the Powerplay. Despite India’s attempts to fight back with a few wickets, the damage had already been done, and Australia cruised to a four-wicket victory with more than six overs to spare, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Quickest 120+ Run Chase in T20Is vs India
- 13.2 overs – Australia, Melbourne, 2025 (against India)
- 13.5 overs – South Africa, Gqeberha, 2023
- 14.5 overs – Australia, Colombo, 2012
- 15.3 overs – England, Ahmedabad, 2021
Australia’s chase was the quickest 120+ run chase against India in T20I history, completing the target in just 13.2 overs.
India’s T20I Record at the MCG
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has been a key venue in India’s T20I history, though their record has been a mixed bag:
- 2008 – Lost to Australia by 9 wickets
- 2012 – Beat Australia by 8 wickets
- 2016 – Beat Australia by 27 runs
- 2018 – No Result
- 2022 – Beat Pakistan by 4 wickets
- 2022 – Beat Zimbabwe by 71 runs
- 2025 – Lost to Australia by 4 wickets
The loss on October 31, 2025, marks another chapter in India’s T20I history at the MCG, but it also sets up an intriguing contest as the action now shifts to Hobart for the third T20I on November 2, 2025.
As India looks to bounce back in the series, all eyes will be on how the team adapts to the challenges of the next few matches.
