Picture : BCCI/ Twitter
India have taken a 1-0 lead in the three match T20 series against Australia. After winning the last ODI by 13 runs, Canberra proved to be lucky ground for India to record their second successive win.
Aussie skipper Aaron Finch won the toss and elected to bowl. India lost Shikhar Dhawan early for (1). ButK L Rahul opening the innings hit a sparkling 51 . Skipper Virat Kohli was out for 9. . Sanju Samson promised much and looked good for more but was out for 23. Manish Pandey struggled for his 8. Hardik Pandya looked ominous before he was out for 16. But Ravindra Jadeja for the second match in succession played a handy vital cameo. A match – winning one as it turned out with a brilliant unbeaten 23 ball 44.
In a contest laced with controversy, Jadeja top-edged into his helmet in the final over but was not tested for concussion on the field at Manuka Oval. He ended up scoring a valuable nine runs off the last three deliveries to push his team to a defendable total of 161 for seven.
For Australia , Mitchell Starc who had a horrendous ODI series found his rhythm in the T20 with 2/34 ( 4 overs), Josh Hazlewood 0/39 (4 overs) Adam Zampa 1/20 ( 4 overs), Mitchell Swepson 1/21 ( 2 overs), Moises Henriques 3/22 ( 4 overs)
Jadeja, however, was ruled out during the innings break, and Australia coach Justin Langer had a heated argument with match referee David Boon before the home side began its chase at Manuka Oval. As the concussion allowed Yuzvendra Chahal to bowl and his spell turned the match India’s way.
In reply , Australia got off to a flier with 56 in 7.4 overs and looked like running away with the match. Skipper Aaron Finch ( muscle injury scare) scored 35. His fellow opener Darcy Short ( 34). In-form Steve Smith fell for ( 12). Causing jitters in the Aussie camp after a fine start. Both Finch and Smith fell to concussion substitute bowler Yuzvendra Chahal. Glenn Maxwell fell for ( 2). Moises Henriques ( 30) , Matthew Wade ( 7) failed to get going . Australia slumped and could make only 150 in their twenty overs. Finishing at 150/7 .
Indian bowling was spot on . Deepak Chahar after poor first over( 14 runs) bounced back with 1/29 (4 overs). Washington Sundar 0/16 (4 overs), Yuzvendra Chahal 3/25 (4 overs), making his debut T Natarajan was impressive with 3/ 30. Mohammed Shami struggled 0/46 (4 overs).
The two teams now play the next Two T20 matches in Sydney on 6th December and the final one on 8th.
