NEW DELHI: The bonhomie between Indian openers Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma was on full display as they sat in the dugout, waiting for the rain to relent. However, the persistent downpour played spoilsport, forcing the abandonment of the first T20I between India and Australia in Canberra.

The two Punjab boys, who have shared the cricket field since their early days, now find themselves opening the innings for India in the shortest format. Watching them in national colours, laughing and bantering during the rain delay, was a heartwarming reflection of their long and inspiring journey together.

After being put into bat, Abhishek (19 off 14 balls), who started the onslaught with three fours off Xavier Bartlett, couldn't gauge Nathan Ellis' back-of-the-hand slower delivery which was pouched by the mid-off fielder after the southpaw failed to get the required elevation.

India skipper Suryakumar Yadav (39 not out off 24 balls) was back in his element with some spectacular hits with his deputy Gill (37 not out off 20 balls) also in good nick.

The duo added 62 runs off 35 balls for the second wicket and both looked good for big scores which was not to be in the end.

There were two breaks across the 9.4 overs that India had to endure to score 97/1 and after the first break, next 4.4 overs turned out to be very productive for the visitors with 54 runs coming during that phase.