English
Washington Sundar impressed as India chased down 187 to level the five-match T20I series with a five-wicket win over Australia on Sunday. This marked the first time Australia have lost a T20I at the Ninja Oval, formerly known as Bellerive Oval.
Tim David hit a powerful 74 off 38 balls to take Australia to 186/6 after India chose to field first. Despite the target being achievable for India’s strong batting lineup, Nathan Ellis (3/36) bowled sharply and made things challenging. India eventually reached the target in 18.3 overs.
Abhishek Sharma (25 off 16) gave India a flying start in the powerplay, followed by contributions from captain Suryakumar Yadav (24 off 11), Tilak Varma (29 off 26), Axar Patel (17 off 12), and Sundar, who remained unbeaten on 49 off 23. Jitesh Sharma (22 not out off 12), playing his first match of the series, stayed with Sundar to finish the chase.
Sundar, often underrated as a power-hitter, displayed his ability to clear the boundary, especially in the cow corner region. India also benefited from the absence of Australia’s Josh Hazlewood, who is preparing for the Ashes. Other Australian bowlers, apart from Ellis, struggled to challenge the Indian batters.
The fourth T20 of the series will be played in Gold Coast on November 6.
Opting to bowl first in cool conditions, India got off to a strong start with Arshdeep Singh taking two early wickets in his two-over spell on return to the side, earning the Player of the Match award. He dismissed dangerous Travis Head and Josh Inglis, leaving Australia at 14/2.
Tim David then took charge with a masterful display of power-hitting, clearing the field with five sixes, including four down the ground and one over cover off Axar Patel. After David’s dismissal, Marcus Stoinis (64 off 39) also attacked to take Australia to a competitive total.
Despite the efforts of Jasprit Bumrah and mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, both batters dominated. David also survived a tough chance when Sundar dropped him at point off Bumrah.
India missed all-rounder Hardik Pandya due to injury, and Shivam Dube struggled against David and Stoinis. Left-arm spinner Abhishek Sharma bowled an expensive over in a situation where there were no left-hand batters on strike.
After Arshdeep’s early double strike, Chakravarthy slowed the scoring by dismissing Mitchell Marsh and Mitchell Owen in consecutive deliveries. Arshdeep and Bumrah finished the Australian innings strongly.
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