IND vs AUS, 5th T20I | Impact Performer - Mukesh Excels Under Pressure
Mukesh Kumar bowled a beautiful spell under pressure in the fifth T20I against Australia (Source: AP Photos)
Indian bowlers secured a crucial win for India with outstanding death overs performance while defending their target. The match had lots of ups and downs, but in the end, the home team emerged victorious. Australia, despite being in control for most of the game, couldn't finish on top, and the Men in Blue claimed the series 4-1.
India batted first on a challenging pitch. Shreyas Iyer's impressive half-century and late aggressive batting from Axar Patel helped India set a good total. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jitesh Sharma also played crucial roles.
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Australia's bowlers, especially Ben Dwarshuis and Jason Behrendorff, took a couple of wickets each, while Aaron Hardie, Nathan Ellis, and Tanveer Sangha contributed with one wicket each. Australia performed well in most of their chase but Arshdeep Singh's exceptional last over disrupted their plans, and they head home with just one win in the series.
Mukesh, The Driving Force Behind India's Commanding Series Win
Australia faced an early setback with the loss of Josh Philippe, but Travis Head's explosive batting gave them a quick start, surpassing 50 runs within the Powerplay. Despite Head's dismissal, Ben McDermott and Tim David built a crucial 47-run partnership.
However, as the required rate increased, David's attempt to accelerate led to a collapse, going from 102/4 to 129/7. McDermott scored a commendable half-century but couldn't finish the job. Matthew Wade took charge and seemed poised to lead his team to victory, but unfortunately, they fell short by 6 runs in the end.
Mukesh Kumar changed the game by taking two wickets in the 17th over, targeting the pacers. However, Avesh Khan's over released the pressure by conceding 15 runs. With Australia needing 10 runs in the last over, Arshdeep Singh, who initially gave away 37 runs in three overs, was entrusted with the responsibility. He held his nerves and emerged as the hero for the Men in Blue, delighting the enthusiastic Bangalore crowd.
Mukesh Kumar's first wicket resulted from a delivery on a hard length just outside off, causing Josh Philippe to attempt a cut but only managing to inside edge it onto the stumps. For Mukesh's second wicket, a low full toss outside off was presented. Matthew Short aimed to hit it down the ground, but the shot turned into a flat slice to the left of point. Ruturaj Gaikwad made an excellent low catch.
Mukesh's third wicket involved a delivery on a hard length on middle and leg. The ball skidded on, catching Ben Dwarshuis on the back foot. Despite trying to block, the ball found its way through the gap between bat and pad, crashing into the stumps.
Conclusion
Ravi Bishnoi receives the Player of the series award for his outstanding bowling performances. Reflecting on the first game, he acknowledges not bowling to his full potential. Bishnoi emphasizes his simple approach of targeting the stumps. Looking ahead to the South Africa series, he anticipates a distinct challenge with different wickets and expresses his commitment to adapting quickly to the new conditions.
India secures a 4-1 victory, and Australia gathers valuable insights from the series. Suryakumar Yadav receives the trophy, celebrating with the entire team lifting it in joy. The Men in Blue are set to travel to South Africa for a tour, starting with a three-match T20I series on December 10th. Meanwhile, many Australian players will soon join their teams for the Big Bash League 2023.
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