The third T20I between India and Australia got underway on Sunday at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. With the series tied at 1-1, fans were anticipating a spectacular show in the final game with both teams giving tough competition to each other. Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and invited Australia in to bat first.
Openers Aaron Finch and Cameron Green walked out to get their team off to a great start. Green straight away got into the act sending the very second ball of the innings into the stands. He carried his stupendous form from the first match and launched an all-out attack on the Indian bowlers. India were finally able to dismiss Green after he scored a magnificent 52 off 21 balls. Courtesy of Green’s blistering knock, Australia were 62/2 after five overs.
Axar Patel once again found himself amongst the wickets as India made a strong comeback into the game. He picked up three wickets and also ran out Glenn Maxwell to bring Australia onto the backfoot. The Aussies were left reeling at 117/6 after 13.5 overs. However, a solid partnership between Daniel Sams and Tim David of 68 runs in just 34 balls took Australia to a score of 186/7 after their 20 overs.
The Indian chase got off to a miserable start as they lost KL Rahul in the very first over of the game. Despite losing his partner early, Sharma continued to play his shots and didn’t let the required run-rate climb up. However, his stay at the crease didn’t last long as he was dismissed for 17 off 14 balls on the score of 30 after 3.4 overs.
Sharma’s fall brought Suryakumar Yadav at the crease who was determined to make an impact in today’s game. After setting his eye in, SKY unleashed his beast mode on the Australian bowlers and began plundering boundaries one after the other. He left the entire stadium in awe of his incredible shots as he put them on display, taking them out one by one from his armoury.
While Suryakumar Yadav looked in tremendous touch, Kohli played second fiddle to him nudging the ball in the gap for singles. He also launched three monstrous sixes into the crowd, bringing the crowd to its feet. With 53 runs more needed to win, Suryakumar Yadav lost his wicket and departed for a well-made 69 off just 36 balls.
Australia found their way back into the game after Yadav’s dismissal as the new batter Hardik Pandya took some time to settle in. At the other end, Kohli brought up his half-century playing steadily at the other end. The game was off to a thrilling finish with 22 needed from the last two overs.
With 11 needed off the final over, Kohli smashed the first ball of the over for a six. But got out on the very next ball. The game got even more closer as India needed four off the last two balls. Hardik Pandya reached for a wide yorker on the second last ball and edged it away for a four taking his team home. India won the match by six wickets and clinched the series 2-1. Here’s how Twitter reacted to India’s thrilling victory:
Last part of Kohli's inning, after SKY's dismissal,was complex. Without that six off Sams,it would have been poor. Shouldn't have dragged this late. #INDvsAUS #ViratKohli
— Harsh Bagaria (@harsh22ro) September 25, 2022
BCCI sacking Virat Kohli from Captaincy for Rohit Sharma, And in return.. Virat Kohli saving Rohit Sharma from humiliation!!#ViratKohli#INDvAUS #INDvsAUS #AUSvIND #AUSvsIND #TeamIndia
— Sharon Solomon (@BSharan_6) September 25, 2022
Hardik what a finisher you are…
Take a bow #HardikPandya #INDvsAUS— Abhishek Kumar yadav (@PSYCHOABHI07) September 25, 2022
India Won The Series ? Hope This Will Also Continue In South Africa Series ??#INDvsAUS #INDvsSA
— ?Sabarianand? (@Sabarianand2912) September 25, 2022
Virat Kohli and his never ending love story against Australia ??
King Kohli ?#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/Yz0oSzd2Ar— Madhav Dixit (@MadhavvTweets) September 25, 2022
Watching team india playing cricket is like MAUT KO CHUKAR WAPIS AANA???????????#IndVsAus
— Pooja jain ? (@HowYouuuDoingg) September 25, 2022
Hardik bhai ek hi dil he kitne baar jitoge ur becoming super favourite man#HardikPandya #INDvsAUS #t20 pic.twitter.com/km4dHzuLTD
— Shashank Patil (@_shashank_patil) September 25, 2022
From 110/6 to 185/6 , roadshet sharma captancy exposed #IndvsAus #AusvsInd
— Nomore (@Nomore86752884) September 25, 2022
Where there is Pandya there is a way #IndVsAus
— Anil Anuragi (@anuragi89) September 25, 2022
What a nail biting finish…
Outstanding Thriller on Sunday..
India win, That matters#INDvsAUS #INDvAUS— Harsh Kumar (@mistri_hk) September 25, 2022
Thanks, team #india, @imVkohli I was not in the state to tolerate both Monday and match defeat together.?#INDvsAUS #cricket
— Kapil Tiwari (@kp009tiwari) September 25, 2022
What a brilliant Series Win for India.#INDvsAUS always bring out their A Game in a bilateral series and provide a superb contest.
A super entertaining series. With contributions from all our Key players.
Mission Melbourne is On!
— ?Aa? (@imaatmanirbhar) September 25, 2022
