Tim David mentally destroyed by Varun Chakravarthy’s mind games as India spinner has the last laugh at MCG

Team India spinner Varun Chakravarthy outfoxed Australia’s middle-order batter Tim David with his tactics during the second T20I between the two teams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, October 31. The right-handed batter managed to score just one run before being dismissed by Chakravarthy.

Team India scored 124 runs in 18.4 overs after being asked to bat first on a challenging track that assisted pacers throughout the innings. Opener Abhishek Sharma was the top scorer for the team, scoring 68 runs off 37 balls. Josh Hazlewood was the pick of the bowlers for Australia with three wickets.

Australian openers Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh provided a flying start to the team. The duo added 51 runs off 27 balls before Varun Chakravarthy removed Head, who scored 28 runs off 15 balls. Tim David came to the crease at No. 4 when Marsh, who scored 46 off 26, was dismissed by Kuldeep Yadav.

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Watch: Tim David Mentally Destroyed by Varun Chakravarthy’s Mind Games

Tilak Varma stood close in with his helmet on, prompting a light exchange of smiles and chatter between the fielders and Tim David. The Australian batter backed away once, while Chakravarthy paused his run-up to heighten the tension.

David managed a single off a back-foot punch to long-on, but only a couple of deliveries later, he attempted a soft defensive push to a googly that drifted in on a length. He chipped the ball straight back to Chakravarthy, who completed a simple return catch.

The dismissal left Australia three down, with Chakravarthy striking twice in quick succession. Australia were 90/3 after 8.4 overs while chasing a target of 126 runs.

cricket.com.au took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to share the clip on social media with the caption, "Varun Chakravarthy v Tim David were playing some serious mind games 🧠 #AUSvIND."

Watch the video of the same posted by cricket.com.au on X (formerly known as Twitter) below:

Varun Chakaravarthy v Tim David were playing some serious mind games 🧠 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/uuUPTSqwDD

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 31, 2025

Varun Chakravarthy was the pick of the bowlers for India while defending the target. He picked up two wickets for 23 runs in his four overs. Jasprit Bumrah also took two wickets in his four overs. The home team suffered a late collapse but reached the target in the 14th over with six wickets in hand.

Team India Disappoint With The Bat Despite Abhishek Sharma’s Heroics

India faltered with the bat, as the top order struggled to handle Australia’s movement and extra bounce. The visitors slipped to a difficult position at 49/5 inside eight overs.

Abhishek Sharma was the only top-order batter who absorbed the pressure, finding some support from Harshit Rana, who contributed 35 off 33 balls. Their partnership helped India cross the 100-run mark.

However, the innings ended at just 125 in 18.4 overs, with only Abhishek and Rana reaching double figures. With the first match in Canberra washed out, the home side took a crucial 1–0 lead in the five-match series.

Also read: Josh Hazlewood hits Shubman Gill on the head with brutal bouncer; nasty blow leaves batter shaken at MCG