The first T20I of the five-match series between India and Australia was played at Vizag on November 23, 2023. India captain Suryakumar Yadav had won the toss on his captaincy debut and chose to bowl first.
Australia played amazingly well as Steve Smith made 52 in 41 balls with 8 fours and added 130 runs for the second wicket with Josh Inglis. Inglis, fresh off the World Cup win, smashed his maiden international and T20I hundred, scoring 110 in 50 balls with 11 fours and 8 sixes. This helped Australia post 208/3 in 20 overs.
Prasidh Krishna and Ravi Bishnoi were the wicket-takers for India.
In response, vice-captain Ruturaj Gaikwad got run out for a diamond duck and Yashashvi Jaiswal fell after a good start of 21 in 8 balls. Ishan Kishan then struggled initially but ended up scoring 58 in 38 balls with 2 fours and 5 sixes.
But the knock of the Indian innings came by new captain Suryakumar Yadav, who slammed 80 in 42 balls with 9 fours and 4 sixes. He added 112 runs for the third wicket with Kishan.
But Australia hit back with a bunch of wickets in the last two overs and it all came down to the last over. Rinku Singh held his nerves scoring 22* in 14 balls with 4 fours.
India achieved the 209-run target and won by two wickets with Sean Abbott bowling a no-ball on the last delivery of the match which was hit for six by Rinku Singh. This was the highest chase by the Indian team in T20Is.
The Indian cricket fraternity was all praises for Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh and lauded them on X.
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