Glenn Maxwell (46) and Marcus Stoinis (33) played blistering knocks and guided Australia to 158/4 in a rain-marred (17 overs) first T20I at The Gabba in Brisbane on Wednesday.
After being put into bat, Australia got off to a cautious start but failed to capitalize with opener D'Arcy Short (7) giving his wicket away in the fifth over. Skipper Aaron Finch (27) followed him soon after getting the initial start. Chris Lynn looked dangerous during his 37-run knock off 20 deliveries but Kuldeep Yadav got the better of him with a googly. After Lynn’s departure, both Maxwell and Stoinis took matter into their own hands, taking the Indian bowlers to the cleaners. The duo forged a 78-run stand for the fourth wicket to put Australia in a commanding position. Kuldeep Yadav was the most successful bowler for India, finishing with figures of 2-24.
The revised target for the Men in Blue was 174 in 17 overs. India started off in aggressive manner courtesy Shikhar Dhawan’s flurry of boundaries but Rohit Sharma struggled to get going and eventually perished for 7 runs off 8 balls. Interestingly, KL Rahul was promoted at No. 3 but he also failed to make a mark and fell for 12-ball 13. Skipper Virat Kohli’s first innings on this tour ended in a single digit (4) as the hosts reduced India to 94/3 in 10.5 overs.
Dhawan, however, went all guns blazing from the other end and scored a breathtaking 76 off 41 balls (10 boundaries and 2 sixes). As soon as the southpaw got out in the 12th over off Stanlake’s bowling, it looked all but over for India. But the carnage from Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik pulled things back for India. The duo added 51 runs in quick time to put the hosts on the backfoot.
Needing 24 runs off the last 2 overs, Pant (20) got out while trying a cheeky reverse shot off Andre Tye’s bowling. Stoinis bowled superbly in the final over, taking the important wickets of Krunal Pandya (2) and Karthik (30 off 13 balls) and restricted India to 169/7 to secure a thrilling four-run victory for Australia.
Twitter experts were captivated after watching a thrilling contest between India and Australia in the very first match of the highly-anticipated series.
Here are some of the tweets:
Such a closely fought game, too bad it dint go our way. This is going to be a cracking series. #AusvsInd
— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) November 21, 2018
First 20/20 goes to ???????? ???????????????? pic.twitter.com/env2rYvVHx
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) November 21, 2018
Close one, but Australia got the better of it! Nevertheless, a great innings by @SDhawan25! 1-0 to Australia. #AUSvIND
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) November 21, 2018
A really cracker of a game to begin what promises to be a really good series. Wonderful innings from Shikhar and useful contributions from DK and Pant but in the end Stoinis handled his nerves well. Good game nonetheless #AusvInd
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) November 21, 2018
India scoring more than Australia yet losing. Australia ke score par laga GST bhaari pad gaya. But a good thrilling game to start the series.#AUSvIND
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) November 21, 2018
A great nail-biter to begin. Wonderful innings from @SDhawan25 and some absolute clean hitting by @DineshKarthik but Australia manage to win. Good entertainment to start the series #AusvInd pic.twitter.com/foDHClcT97
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) November 21, 2018
Well done boys good gutsy win in the end and first blow to the Aussies for the summer v India.????????
— Mark Waugh (@juniorwaugh349) November 21, 2018
Great fight Australia ???????? Great start to the series. Great match by both teams
— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) November 21, 2018
Congrats on the win Australia a bloody good tough and courageous win. This Indian team are a very strong outfit and super competitive too. It’s going to be a great summer of cricket ! See you at the MCG Friday night ????
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) November 21, 2018