India defended a modest total with a stifling bowling performance for a 48-run win over Australia in the fourth T20 International to grab an unassailable 2-1 lead in the five-match series here on Thursday. The architects of Indias win were Axar Patel and Shivam Dube who shared two wickets each to put Australia on the backfoot in the run chase. Washington Sundar struck thrice towards the end as India comfortably defended 168 with Australia folding up for 119 in 18.2 overs after being 91/3 at one stage. The final T20 will take place in Brisbane on November 8. The series opener in Canberra was washed out. Australian openers Matthew Short (30 off 24) and Mitchell Marsh (25 off 19) started the chase well but a series of wickets in the middle overs put them under pressure. Axar Patel trapped Short early in the powerplay and Shivam Dube removed Marsh and Tim David (14 off 9) in consecutive overs making a big impact. Marsh was out on Dube’s second ball and David was caught off a short delivery in the next over. Arshdeep Singh also took a wicket in the middle overs and the match looked over when Glenn Maxwell was bowled by Varun Chakaravarthy on the last ball of his fourth over. This strong bowling performance came after an average batting effort from India who struggled to build momentum after a wicketless powerplay and ended with a modest 167 for 8. Abhishek Sharma (28 off 21) and Shubman Gill (46 off 39) added 56 for the opening partnership before India lost control. Promoted to number three to face Adam Zampa Shivam Dube (22 off 18) couldn’t make a big contribution and captain Suryakumar Yadav (20 off 10) fell after hitting a couple of sixes. Fast bowler Nathan Ellis was the standout for Australia taking 3 wickets for 21 runs in 4 overs and using his variations well. Adam Zampa gave away 45 runs in his four overs but claimed three key wickets including the dangerous Abhishek Sharma. Abhishek hit Zampa for a six on the second ball of the innings but was caught at long on two balls later while trying to clear the boundary again. He could have been dismissed on the second ball of the match by left-arm pacer Ben Dwarshuis but Xavier Bartlett dropped the chance. Abhishek’s opening partner Shubman Gill who has struggled so far in the series had to fight for his runs. Gill eased some pressure with a big shot off Marcus Stoinis into the cow corner but was later dismissed by a slower delivery from Ellis. Wickets kept tumbling after that breaking any momentum in India’s innings. Axar Patel (21 not out off 11) hit some crucial boundaries at the end to take the total past 160. India lost four wickets for 42 runs in the final five overs but their excellent bowling effort ensured victory.