AUS vs IND: 3rd T20I Review – Australia overcome Kohli special to avoid whitewash

Australia have finally managed to defeat India in the three-match T20I series that concluded on Tuesday, 8th December. The dead rubber was played at the Sydney Cricket Ground where India won the toss and opted to bowl first. Australia got off to a poor start losing their skipper Aaron Finch early. However, Matthew Wade continued his good form from the previous outing.

He rode his luck through his attacking knock of 80 runs. Steve Smith didn’t look comfortable in the middle but Glenn Maxwell made the most of the opportunities given to him by the opposition. He scored 54 off just 36 balls as Australia ended up posting 186 runs after their 20 overs. Washington Sundar was the best bowler for India returning with the figures of 2/34 in his four overs.

For India too, the start wasn’t great. KL Rahul got out for a duck in the first over itself after which Virat Kohli took charge of the innings to add 74 runs with Shikhar Dhawan. But once the latter got out, the run-scoring went down a bit. Mitchell Swepson bowled superbly to send back Dhawan, Sanju Samson and then Shreyas Iyer.

At 100/4 after 13 overs, Virat Kohli started playing some glorious strokes which were pleasing to the eyes. Hardik Pandya also hit a couple of lusty blows before getting out to Adam Zampa. Kohli looked extremely good for his 85-run knock which was laced with four fours and three sixes. But his dismissal in the 19th over eventually sealed the fate for India as they fell short by 12 runs.

Turning Points

Wade review fiasco – Matthew Wade should’ve got out much earlier only for the review fiasco. In the 11th over of the innings, T Natarajan had pinned him in front of the stumps and the on-field umpire denied the appeal. But with Virat Kohli standing at the boundary, India took a little bit of time to go for the review. Rather the skipper signalled for review after looking at the replay. So, the third umpire deemed the review as ‘null and void’ to deny India a potential wicket. Wade made the most of it to slam 80 runs.

Hardik Pandya’s wicket – Hardik Pandya is clearly the most feared finisher right now in international cricket. He arguably had the best white-ball series of his career on this Australia tour and once again, he was the key for India in the middle. With 43 needed in the last three overs, India were in with more than just a chance. However, Adam Zampa was brave enough to toss up the ball and eke out a big shot from Pandya. He ended up top-edging it and got out at a crucial time. This is where the game turned in Australia’s favour completely.

Personal Milestones/Records

Virat Kohli completed 300 sixes in T20 cricket.

High into the Sydney night sky! #AUSvIND is live on @FoxCricket and @kayosports: https://t.co/SVToo67My2 pic.twitter.com/MZMqr7jhSX

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 8, 2020

India’s 10-match winning streak ended in T20Is.

Way Ahead

 With this match, the white-ball leg of India’s tour of Australia ends. The two teams will now face each other in four-match Test series from December 17.