A combined bowling effort led by leg-spinner Adam Zampa (2 for 22) helped Australia beat India by 4 runs in a rain-marred first T20I at The Gabba, Brisbane on Wednesday. With a thrilling last over win, Australia now secured a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series.

Chasing the revised target of 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.

Towards the end, Dinesh Karthik (30) and Rishabh Pant (20) played handy knocks but failed to take the team across the line. Apart from Zampa, Marcus Stoinis also clinched two wickets in his 3 overs as Australia restricted India to 169/7.

Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony, India captain Kohli said: “Was a see-saw battle. Started well with the bat, fumbled in the middle overs, in the end we thought we'll win with Pant and Karthik but it changed again with Pant's dismissal. He's (Dhawan) a very strong player at the top of the order. Hasn't got a T20 hundred yet, but the way he plays it really benefits the team.”

“That's how it goes in the game. What we can do is learn from them (mistakes) and get back better. On the day, if we can have three-four guys to stand up for the team, that's what we want. Don't have much time to think of things, which can be a good thing as well as a bad thing,” he added.

Kohli also thanked the Indian fans for turning up in huge numbers to support the national team Down Under.

“Lot of Indians came in to support us which is always the case anywhere we play. It was a close game, exciting one for the crowd to watch and for the players as well,” he remarked.

On the other hand, Australia skipper Aaron Finch looked delighted as well relieved after this nerve-wrecking win. He lauded the team’s batting in the middle-overs and bowling at the death-overs under pressure.  

“Thought the boys played really well, especially in the middle overs with the bat. Showed a lot of courage to take it on. Some of our bowling was outstanding under pressure. Never been my strong point at school (maths). Just stuffed it up out there (didn't realise that two of his bowlers already had bowled four overs). He's been practicing a lot (Stoinis). It's one strength he wants to add to his bowling. Going with three frontline quicks, and one all-rounder in Stoinis, he is the one we wanted to do that job at the end. And he did it beautifully,” Finch asserted.

Zampa was also elated after receiving the Man-of-the-Match award. In particular, he was happy to get rid of the dangerous Indian captain at a crucial juncture of the game.

“Stoked. Really good feeling. Virat being the player he is, just thought he was a big wicket at the time. Getting him out, I was really excited. Never trust Carey with his decisions behind the stumps, with his DRS decisions. He got this one right,” Zampa said.