India vs Australia, 1st T20I: Australia edge India in a thriller to go 1-0 up in the series
Australia defeated India by three wickets in the first T20I played at Vizag on Sunday. Despite India scoring a below-par total, the Indian bowlers made a fight of the target and lost the match in the last ball.
Australian captain Aaron Finch won the toss and decided to field first. It was a disappointing start as Rohit Sharma was dismissed cheaply for just five runs. Indian captain Virat Kohli and KL Rahul steadied the innings with some brilliant stroke play. At the end of 6 overs, India were 49 for 1.
After the power play overs, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli continued to take on the Australian bowlers. Adam Zampa struck by dismissing Indian captain Virat Kohli for 24 runs. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul added 55 runs for the 2nd wicket.
From 69 for 2, the Indian team lost wickets at regular intervals. KL Rahul reached his fifty off 35 balls and was soon dismissed. MS Dhoni remained not out on 29 off 37 balls as India posted a paltry 126 for 7 at the end of 20 overs.
Chasing the target, India got off to a great start as Marcus Stoinis and Aaron Finch were dismissed cheaply. Glenn Maxwell showed his class with some great hitting to put pressure back on Indian bowling line up while Short played cautiously at the other end. At the end of 6 overs, Australia were 41 for 2. Maxwell continued to take on the Indian bowlers and reached his fifty off 40 balls.
Yuzvendra Chahal dismissed Glenn Maxwell for 56 and broke an 84-run stand for the 3rd wicket. The Indian bowlers made a great comeback with some great bowling in the last 5 overs. Mayank Markande was brilliant as he gave away just five runs in the 18th over. With 16 runs required off two overs, Jasprit Bumrah bowled a stunning penultimate over. He gave away only two runs and picked up two crucial wickets.
With 14 runs required off last over, Jhye Richardson and Pat Cummins hit important boundaries. Umesh Yadav conceded two runs off the last ball which helped Australia win the match by 3 wickets.
Brief scores: Australia 127 for 7 in 20 overs (Maxwell 56, Short 37, Bumrah 3/16) beat India 126 for 7 in 20 overs (KL Rahul 50, MS Dhoni 29*, Virat Kohli 24, Nathan Coulter Nile 3/26) by 3 wickets.