AUS v IND 2020-21: Australia wins the 3rd T20I by 12 runs despite Kohli’s 85; India pockets series 2-1

India won the first two T20I matches and won the series.

The third and final T20I between Australia and India saw the hosts saving some face by winning the match by 12 runs and pulling one back, though India won the series 2-1. However, this loss brought an end to India’s unbeaten run in the T20I format after 10 straight wins.

Australia batted first after Virat Kohli won the toss and chose to bowl. Matthew Wade (80 with 2 sixes and 7 fours) and Glenn Maxwell (54 with 3 fours and 3 sixes) led Australia to 186/5 in 20 overs. Washington Sundar with 2/34 was the pick of Indian bowlers.

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In reply, India lost KL Rahul for a duck, while Dhawan made 28 runs. Samson (10), Iyer (0), and Sundar (7) failed to keep Virat Kohli company, who played a lone hand with 85 from 61 balls with 3 sixes and 4 fours. He did get some help from Hardik Pandya, who made 20 with 2 sixes and 1 four.

But once Hardik fell to Zampa and Kohli was dismissed by Tye, it was curtains for India’s chase, despite a late surge from Shardul Thakur, who made 17* with 2 sixes, as India finished on 174/7, losing by 12 runs.

Mitchell Swepson picked 3/23 in 4 overs and was named the Player of the Match, for his career-best T20I figures. Hardik Pandya was named the Player of the Series.

BRIEF SCORES:

AUS 186/5 (M WADE 80; W SUNDAR 2/34) defeated IND 174/7 (V Kohli 85; M SWEPSON 3/23) by 12 runs.