Team India registered a nail-biting six-wicket victory over Australia in the third T20I in Hyderabad to clinch the series 2-1.
In the decider, the visitors rode on half-centuries from Tim David (54 off 27 balls) and Cameron Green (52 off 21 balls) to post 186/7 on the board after being asked to bat first.
Left-arm spinner Akshar Patel once again starred with the ball for India, returning with the figures of 3 for 33 in his four overs.
In reply, the Men in Blue lost KL Rahul (1) and Rohit Sharma (17) early. However, the duo of Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav rose to the occasion, adding 104 runs for the third wicket to keep the hosts in the hunt.
In particular, Suryakumar was severe on the Australian bowlers as he slammed 69 off 36 balls (5 fours and 5 sixes) before getting out in the 14th over.
Kohli though held the one end firmly and anchored the chase brilliantly. The veteran batter forged a 48-run stand with Hardik Pandya to put India in the driver’s seat.
With 11 needed off the last over, Kohli hit Daniel Sams’ first ball for a six and then perished on the second delivery for 63 off 48 balls (3 fours and 4 sixes). In the end, Hardik’s unbeaten cameo of 16-ball 25 took the home team over the finishing line with one ball to spare.
For their brilliant knocks in the pressure chase, Suryakumar Yadav and Virat Kohli received rich praises from the cricket fraternity on Twitter.
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