Yuzvendra Chahal and T Natarajan starred with the ball in India's victory.
Chahal was not named in the playing XI but Ravindra Jadeja was hit on the helmet during the last over of India’s innings, and as BCCI medical team assessed him, he was replaced by the wrist-spinner as a concussion substitute.
Asked to bat first, the visitors posted 161/7 in 20 overs on the back of KL Rahul’s 40-ball 51 and Jadeja’s blazing 23-ball 44*.
In reply, the hosts managed 150/7 in 20 overs as Chahal (3-25) and T Natarajan (3-30) ran through the Australia batting line-up. Captain Aaron Finch was the top-scorer with 26-ball 35.
Reflecting on the victory, India skipper Virat Kohli said: “There were no plans of having Yuzi in the game. Concussion replacements are a strange thing. Today, it worked for us. Yuzi showed character to squeeze the opponents.”
“I thought they had a great start. They were cruising. The batters offered us a few wickets. That is T20 cricket for you. In Australia, you need to play hard and show intensity till the end. He batted beautifully in the last game. Natarajan looks like he can improve a lot. Chahar bowled well as well. Chahal got us back in the game. Hardik's catch was a game changer as well,” he further added while speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony.
The second T20I will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday (December 6).
(Quotes from Cricbuzz)