An explosive 42-ball 80 from Suryakumar Yadav on captaincy debut, his 112-run stand with Ishan Kishan (58 off 39 balls) and the finishing act from Rinku Singh were all pivotal to India’s thrilling two-wicket win over Australia in the first of the five-match T20I series in Vizag on Thursday (November 23). Australia rode on Josh Inglis’ frenetic 47-ball ton to post a strong total of 208 and also had India at 22/2 but the Suryakumar-Ishan stand helped India to get into cruise control with the stand-in captain almost batting through the chase. A late collapse threatened a heist but Rinku held his nerve to see India through off the last ball.
A first for Steve Smith
He’s been around for a long time but it took until 23rd November 2023 for Australia’s premier batter to open the innings for the first time in his career. Smith started off with a few boundaries despite not timing them very well. His opening partner Matthew Short also struck three boundaries as Australia got off to a steady start.
Wrist spin strikes for India
With the openers starting well for Australia, Suryakumar turned to spin very early and while Axar Patel’s first over didn’t get the reward, leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi broke through. A well-disguised googly dipped and spun past Short’s swipe across the line to disturb the timber.
Inglis sets Vizag on fire
He didn’t get many opportunities to shine in the ODI World Cup but T20 cricket is where Josh Inglis’ talent comes to the fore significantly. Sent in at no.3, Inglis wasted little time in getting used to the pace of the pitch and toyed with India’s bowling. There were shots all around the ground and the small ground dimensions played right into Inglis’ hands. Spin wasn’t that easy to take on but he did it with aplomb, even as Smith struggled for timing right through. Inglis kept the impetus going and brought up his century off just 47 balls to put Australia on course for a 200-plus total.
Mukesh, India’s only silver lining
India’s bowlers all got the stick and while Axar Patel was economical too, he copped a bit of treatment in his later overs. Mukesh Kumar, though, stood out with his clarity of plans and execution, conceding just 29 off the four overs including a mere five runs in the 20th over to give India some respite.
A diamond that Ruturaj wouldn’t want to remember
Diamonds are priceless but not diamond ducks and Ruturaj Gaikwad was the unfortunate recipient of it after a big mix up with opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal. A comfortable run out ensued as Australia got a gift-wrapped wicket early in the second half. After a few boundaries and a six, Jaiswal also fell in pursuit of upping the ante, leaving India at 22/2 in the third over.
Suryakumar, Ishan turn it on
There was no sign of nerves for Suryakumar in his captaincy debut as the top-ranked T20I batter got to work straightaway. Ishan started scratchily with a maiden against Jason Behrendorff but with his captain striking them clean at the other end, the left-hander also found his groove gradually. The rollicking partnership took Australia’s bowlers apart, notably leggie Jason Sangha who got smoked for boundaries and sixes aplenty. The one thing in Australia’s favour was the lack of dew which Suryakumar had anticipated while opting to bowl at the toss. However, this stand continued to make merry for India in the chase.
Sangha’s double-strike gives Australia hope
Against the run of play, Sangha removed Ishan and Tilak Varma in successive overs to dent India’s charge a bit. The leggie showed remarkable temperament despite getting hammered and his bravery gave Australia a small window of opportunity to sneak back into the game.
Suryakumar goes up a gear to put India on the brink
The stand-in skipper was unfazed with the two wickets and instead went up a notch in his strokeplay. Even Australia’s death specialist Nathan Ellis went the distance in the 16th over that went for 18 runs. It left India with just 20 to get off the last 18 deliveries. Rinku also gave his captain the ideal support by striking sme timely boundaries at the other end.
Rinku stays calm amidst chaotic late drama
Suryakumar perished in pursuit of ending the game quickly and his wicket once again gave Australia a sniff to sneak back. Rinku kept the tempo going with two crucial boundaries – one off the penultimate ball of the 19th over and the other to start the 20th over. These were priceless in the context of what unfolded thereafter. With two needed off three balls, Axar miscued one straight up for Sean Abbott to take the return catch while Bishnoi got run out on the second run, leaving India with one to get off the final ball. Rinku held his nerve to smoke a six over long-on, although that didn’t count eventually as Abbott had overstepped which meant a no-ball.
Brief scores: Australia 208/3 in 20 overs (Josh Inglis 110, Steve Smith 52) lost to India 209/8 in 19.5 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 80, Ishan Kishan 58; Tanveer Sangha 2-47) by two wickets
