Australia defeats India by five wickets in Guwahati: Hopes of a series win are alive
In Cricket, Australia defeated India by five wickets at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati in the third T20 international of the five-match series last night.
Put in to bat first, India posted 222 runs for 3 wickets in stipulated 20 overs with the help of an unbeaten knock of 123 runs by Ruturaj Gaikwad. Skkiper Suryakumar Yadav made 39 runs while Tilak Varma remained not out with 31 runs. For Australia, Kane Richardson, Jason Behrendorff and Aaron Hardie took 1 wicket each.
In reply, Australia scored 225 for the loss of 5 wickets in the stipulated 20 overs, riding on Glenn Maxwell’s unbeaten 104 runs. Travis Head scored 35 runs while Skkiper and wicket keeper Matthew Wade remained unbeaten on 28 runs. For India, Ravi Bishnoi scalped 2 wickets while Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan and Axar Patel took 1 wicket each. Maxwell was declared Player of the match.
Glenn Maxwell’s fourth T20I ton, the joint-fastest by an Australian in the format, headlined Australia’s imperious chase of 223 in a last-ball finish against India in Guwahati on Tuesday (November 28). Skipper Matthew Wade played the ideal foil with a 16-ball 28 as the duo got Australia home after having joined hands with 89 needed off 39 balls. The Maxwell special overshadowed a masterly maiden T20I ton from Ruturaj Gaikwad earlier in the evening. This result keeps the series alive at 2-1 in India’s favour with two games to go.
Australia seize the early advantage
Unlike the T20I at Trivandrum, Australia started proceedings with a bang here with two of last game’s stars, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ishan Kishan, both perishing well inside the first six overs. With a hint of swing on offer, Jason Behrendorff got one to shape away past a charging Jaiswal who could only nick a slash through to Wade. Shortly, Kane Richardson got a gifted wicket as Kishan’s back foot cut found short extra cover to perfection. It was just the start Australia needed after Wade had opted to bowl in dewy conditions.
Brief scores: India 222/3 in 20 overs (Ruturaj Gaikwad 123*, Suryakumar Yadav 39, Tilak Varma 31*) lost to Australia 225/5 in 20 overs (Glenn Maxwell 104*, Travis Head 35, Matthew Wade 28*) by five wickets
Earlier, Australia won the toss and chose to bowl. India is currently leading the five-match series 2-1. The next match of the series will be played on Friday in Raipur.