India took on Australia in the first T20I of the three-match series in PCA Stadium in Mohali on September 20, 2022, and thanks to an outstanding finish by Hardik Pandya, ended with a competitive total on a batting beauty of a pitch.
Aaron Finch won the toss and chose to field first. Tim David made his T20I debut for Australia, while Harshal Patel and Umesh Yadav returned to Indian XI with Rishabh Pant sitting out.
Rohit Sharma (11) started out good, but he and then Virat Kohli (2) got out quickly. KL Rahul (55) and Suryakumar Yadav (46 in 25 balls) added 68 runs for the third wicket. After they got out, Hardik Pandya took over and hammered 71* in 30 balls with 5 sixes and 7 fours.
He even finished the innings on an absolute high as he hit Cameron Green for three consecutive sixes on the last three balls of the 20th over to take India to 208/6 in 20 overs.
Nathan Ellis was the best bowler for the Aussies with 3/30 while Josh Hazlewood picked two scalps.
The cricket fraternity lauded Hardik Pandya for his lighting knock that helped India to a very good total in the end.
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