The Indian juggernaut that keeps rolling on ft. Suryakumar Yadav

There's a very confident air around this Indian T20I team right now. You see it on the field, and off it. Whether it's in how they handle victory and defeat, or even during quiet moments like a meal in Broadbeach.

You sense it in how they react to different situations during a T20 match. At times, it's hard to tell if they are ahead or playing catch-up. For large parts of the historic first-ever Indian men's team international on the Gold Coast, Suryakumar Yadav's team seemed to be fighting from behind.

Australia bowled well enough to restrict India to a total that seemed pedestrian rather than threatening. In Josh Hazlewood's absence, Nathan Ellis led the way, using the two-paced Carrara surface to contain India's power-packed batting line-up.

After a promising start with the bat in their PowerPlay, the match appeared to be slipping away from India.

But you wouldn't have known by how Suryakumar managed his team. He remained confident, believing his side still had a fighting chance.

That confidence and belief paid off at Carrara Oval. It's what makes this Indian team the best in T20Is by a significant margin, and why they enter next year's T20 World Cup as overwhelming favourites—even without key players like Hardik Pandya.

Australia seemed in control early in their chase. Mitch Marsh looked threatening, while Matt Short gave them a rousing start, attacking Arshdeep Singh as Jasprit Bumrah failed to strike in his first two overs.

Then came Axar Patel, often the under-the-radar superstar. He removed Short with a false sweep, then dismissed Josh Inglis with a poor shot. But with Marsh still at the crease, Suryakumar turned to Shivam Dube's medium-pace. Dube had Marsh caught at deep backward square-leg with his second delivery.

This set the tone for the rest of Australia's innings. Every time a partnership threatened, Suryakumar made a bowling change that seemed to pre-empt a wicket. Arshdeep Singh returned in the 14th over to remove Josh Philippe, and Varun Chakravarthy came back to dismiss Glenn Maxwell in his first appearance of the series, after containing Marcus Stoinis.

The best example of this controlled defence came late when Washington Sundar was brought on for his first over in the 17th. With Australia needing over 14 runs an over, it was Stoinis versus Sundar. The off-spinner restricted the power-hitter, then trapped him lbw. Washington's figures after that over: 2 for 2, having also taken Xavier Bartlett with the next delivery.

In the end, India didn't just sneak to victory—they recorded a thumping win to take a 2-1 series lead.

India also experimented with their batting order. They sent Shivam Dube at No. 3 to target spinners and had Jitesh Sharma bat ahead of the in-form Washington Sundar. Not all gambles paid off, but none backfired either. Shubman Gill's workmanlike 46 off 39 balls proved to be the perfect match-winning knock for the conditions.

This versatility reinforces India's reputation as a nearly indomitable juggernaut in T20I cricket.