Australia edge India by 12 runs despite Kohli’s 85; India take the series 2-1

Australia staved off Team India’s valiant efforts in the run-chase lead by Captain Virat Kohli, to clinch the dead runner by 12 runs, and avoid a clean sweep in the T20I series. The defeat brought an end to the 11-game unbeaten streak for Team India, who had co-incidentally suffered their last defeat on this very day last year.

Having been put in to bat, Australia got off to the worst possible start, RCB off-spinner Washington Sundar getting his IPL teammate and Australian captain Aaron Finch out for a duck. However, the Kangaroos seized the initiative with a fruitful partnership between Matthew Wade and Steve Smith. While Smith dropped anchor, Wade took on the aggressor’s role, bringing up his second half-century in as many games.

Washington Sundar yet again provided a crucial breakthrough for India with a well-flighted delivery that deceived Steve Smith’s cut shot. However, the dismissal brought little respite to the Men in Blue, as Smith’s replacement, Glen Maxwell was on one of those days where his antics came off. A strong finish to the innings with Wade and Maxwell providing the finishing touches took Australia’s tally to 186/5.

India’s innings got off on a similar note to the Aussies; Indian opener KL Rahul also getting out for a duck, holding out at deep mid-wicket off the bowling of Maxwell. In walked Captain Kohli, who took the attack to the Aussie bowlers with some incredible strokes, none more satisfying to a neutral’s eye than a cover drive that scorched the Sydney carpet en route to the fence. Not a soul moved.

Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan kept the score ticking, but the dismissal of Dhawan triggered a mini-collapse in the middle overs. Reduced to 100/4, the onus was on Kohli, and the in-form Hardik Pandya to keep the innings afloat. The duo managed to do that with a few lusty hits, Kohli playing a trademark down the track off-drive that cleared the long-off fence. A half-century came up soon, Virat Kohli looking ominous for the Aussies.

However, with 5 overs to go, a required rate of more than 15-an-over proved a bridge too far for India to reach. The departures of both the set batsmen proving to be the end of India’s hopes. Virat Kohli’s magnificent 60-ball 81 went in vain, as Australia edged India by 12 runs.