Australian Universities T20 Cricket Tour of India Update: Halfway Report

As we hit the halfway point of the 2024 Australian Universities T20 Cricket Tour of India, the squad has flown across the subcontinent to Bhubaneswar to kick off the second half of their tour.

The Australian Universities T20 Cricket Team for game 4 at KIIT University in Bhubaneswar, India.

2 December 2024

Spending a week in Mumbai, our Aussie representatives are embracing the experience, being graciously hosted by DY Patil University. Off the field the team has enjoyed everything from fantastic university facilities to culinary delights and the cultural uniqueness that is India.

On the field has been just as much of a learning experience, exposing the players to conditions and opposition many had yet to face prior to touching down.

Game 1 saw India win the toss and send our boys in to bat posting 130 after 19.1 overs, with Dhanvi Vemulapalli (Bachelor of Information & Communications Technology, WS) high scoring, carving out 42 off 34 deliveries including five boundaries. The Indian side chasing the score down in 16.2 overs for the loss of six wickets, after managing a fiery opening spell from Charlie Howard (Bachelor of Civil & Environmental Engineering [Honours], UTS) collecting figures of 3/25 from 3.2 overs.

Australia was once again sent into bat first in Game 2, scoring 8/126 from their allotment of 20 overs, with Tom Connolly (Bachelor of Urban Planning [Honours], UNSW) coming in at four, top scoring with 37 from 45 balls. The Indians rollicked home with just three wickets down in the 15th over to win, despite Will Straker (Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Creative Intelligence & Innovation, UTS) keeping it tight, going for 26 runs at an economy of 6.78.

In the last game at the DY Patil Stadium, the coin finally landed in Australia’s favour, and following the lead of the first two games, Australia sent India into bat first. India posted a well compiled 4/245, led by Yashbardhan Singh who fell just short of a century blasting 99 off a mere 43 balls, at an eyewatering strike-rate of 230. The Green and Gold lost by 117 runs, battling to 9/128 thanks to Angus White’s (Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Law [Honours], UQ) 46 run stand.

India and Australia before their match at KIIT University in Bhubaneswar, India. 2 December 2024

With a further three games to play there is still plenty to gain for the group as they are set to experience the true diversity India has to offer flying into Bhubaneswar.

Playing at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) presents the group with more prospects of development to build upon the growth already acquired through the first half of the tour.

Be sure to keep an eye out on the UniSport social media pages and website for further updates and details of the final leg of their journey as this exciting inaugural tour continues.

About UniSport

UniSport Australia (UniSport) is the peak body for university sport in Australia, representing 42 member universities and a population of over one million students. UniSport’s mission is to become an integral partner of Australian universities by delivering outstanding student experiences through national intervarsity sports competitions. UniSport is also committed to advocating for the value of sport in enhancing the student experience.

For more information: www.unisport.com.au

Media Contact:

Damian Murphy

GM: Marketing & Communications

UniSport Australia

damian.murphy@unisport.com.au