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India take the lead in the Almond Ashes
Members of the Australian and Indian teams who competed in the 2026 Almond Ashes in Delhi in January.
INDIA have reclaimed the upper hand in the Almond Ashes, defeating Australia in front of a partisan home crowd in Delhi to move ahead 4-3 in the series. After home-ground advantage helped Australia draw level at 3-3 last year in Mildura, the stage was set for a blockbuster in Delhi, with the Indians clearly smelling blood in familiar conditions.
A New Venue, A New Era With the first five editions of the Almond Ashes contested in Dubai, the addition of MEWA leading into Gulfood forced a venue change to Mildura for 2025 and now Delhi for 2026. The match was hosted at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre, where a rooftop auditorium was turned into a custom built box-cricket venue, designed to host both the MEWA Premier League and the Almond Ashes as its showcase event.
Conditions, Toss, and Tactical Redemption In warm, sunny conditions, India won the toss and sent Australia in— a decision shaped by painful memories from a year earlier. In Mildura, the setting sun had left India batting in dying light, contributing to their narrow defeat. This time, armed with home-ground advantage and a far better read on conditions, the call proved a masterstroke. Australia managed a modest 47, a total that quickly looked under par.
New Rules, New Chaos Due to time constraints from the MEWA Premier League schedule, the 2026 Almond Ashes was played under revised rules:
• 8 overs per side.
• 8 players, each bowling 1 over and batting 1 over.
• 2 runs deducted per wicket.
• No running between wickets, boundaries only. That last rule caused the game’ s most chaotic moment. ABA CEO Tim Jackson attempted a cheeky quick single to get ex professional Tom Cooper on strike, believing it to be tactical genius. The Indian side erupted. Play was halted. Rules were re-explained. Running was officially outlawed- again.
India Turn the Screws Several Indian players had already featured in warm-up matches earlier in the Premier League, and it showed.
They hit the ground running( figuratively— very figuratively), applying relentless pressure from the opening over. With a manageable target and runs leaking through the boundary, Australia fought hard but never truly regained control. India passed the total with an over to spare, although there was confusion with a scoreboard glitch showing the scores as even. Shrey Bhatia calmly blocked out he final over to ensure there were no late deductions and an India win was confirmed.
Scenes in Delhi Unlike the heartbreak of Mildura, the final whistle in Delhi sparked jubilant celebrations from the Indian camp. Australia were left searching for answers as India once again surged ahead in the rivalry.
Almond Ashes standings: India 4 – 3 Australia Home advantage, better preparation, and tactical clarity proved the difference in 2026 resulting in the Ashes being back in Indian hands.
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