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Powerpacked knocks from SKY and Virat guide India to series win over Australia


image-l8hlx5ppSKY and VK against Australia in the 3rd T20I (Image Credit- Twitter)

A masterclass in from Suryakumar Yadav, finesse from Virat Kohli and a final flourish from Hardik Pandya helped India chase down 187 in the 3rd T20I against Australia in Hyderabad and claim the three-match series 2-1.

Chasing 188, India were rocked early as KL Rahul top-edged against Daniel Sams in the 1st over of the innings, with keeper Matthew Wade completing a brilliant catch.

Rohit Sharma picked off from where he left in Nagpur but one pull shot proved to be too many for the 'Hitman' as Pat Cummins shortened his length after seeing the Indian skipper shimmy down the track, and had him caught at backward square for a 14-ball 17.

Virat Kohli looked fidgety at the start as he tried to muscle everything but once he trusted his timing and had a stable base, he creamed the ball to all corners.

Kohli showed his full range as he flicked Hazlewood over midwicket before playing the lofted cover-drive. He also used his feet really well against Adam Zampa, smashing the leggie for a six over his head.

But, the innings of the game came from the bat of Suryakumar Yadav, who, as he always does, switched his bat into a paintbrush and sledgehammer within a blink of eye, for 69 magical runs off just 36 deliveries.

Virat and Surya added 104 runs in 10.2 overs but the dismissal of the latter (holed out at long-off) brought Australia back in the game as Cameron Green and Sams held their length back, making it difficult for Kohli and Hardik to hit.

Kohli completed his 33rd T20I fifty off his 37th delivery, but with just 12 runs coming in overs 16 and 17, the balance once again shifted to the center.

Hardik smashed Hazlewood for a straight six to start the 19th over to bring the equation down to 15 off 11. Virat struggled to get Hazlewood away in gaps but he nailed Sams for a six over wide long-on on the first ball of the last over to bring it down to 5 off 5.

He eventually perished off the next delivery in an attempt to cut the seamer over cover-point, but could only hit as far as Finch. 

But, Hardik finished it off in style as he drilled Sams past short-cover to bring up a famous win for India.


Axar the star for India amid carnage from Green and David

Earlier, Australia got off to a cracking start thanks to all-rounder Cameron Green, who came out swinging his willow like a sword to decorate every part of the Rajiv Gandhi cricket stadium in Hyderabad.

Green (52 off 21 balls) smashed the fastest half-century in T20Is against India (in just 19 deliveries) as Australia raced their way to 64 in just 4 overs.

Axar Patel provided India a much-needed breakthrough in the form of Aaron Finch but it was Bhuvi's dismissal of Green in the 5th over that turned the tide in India's favor.

Post the dismissal of Green and the unfortunate run-out of Glenn Maxwell, wrist-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (1-22 in 4 overs) and Axar (3-33 in 4 overs) turned on the screws as the former got rid of Steve Smith cheapy before the left-arm orthodox knocked over Josh Inglis (24 off 22) and the in-form Matthew Wade (1 off 3) to leave Australia reeling at 117/6 in the 14th.

However, Tim David's maiden T20I half-century- a brutal 27-ball 54- powered Australia to 186/7 in 20 overs.


Brief Scores

Australia: 186/7 (20)
Cameron Green 52 (21), Tim David 54 (27);
Axar Patel 3/33 (4), Yuzvendra Chahal 1/22 (4)

India: 187/4 (19.5)
Virat Kohli 63 (48), Suryakumar Yadav 69 (36), Hardik Pandya 25* (16)
Cameron Green 0/14 (3), Daniel Sams 2/33 (3.5)

India won by 6 wickets and take the series 2-1.


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