Pandya powers India to thrilling T20I series win over Australia

December 6, 2020 admin Uncategorized 0

Sydney: Hardik Pandya smashed 25 runs off the last nine balls which powered India to a thrilling six-wicket win over Australia in the second T20I at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

Pandya scored an unbeaten 22-ball 42 with the help of three fours and two sixes while Shreyas Iyer made five-ball 12. Both took India home with three balls to spare. With this win, India sealed the series by 2-0 with one match to go on December 8th at the same venue.

India set to chase 195 went forcefully with Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul providing a 56-run opening stand off 32 deliveries.

Rahul batted with a strike-rate of 136, scoring 30 off 22 while Dhawan made 36-ball 52. Skipper Virat Kohli also looked in sublime touch in the middle overs, smashing 24-ball 40 with the help of two fours and two sixes.

Earlier, new skipper Matthew Wade and Steve Smith lift Australia to a competitive 194 for five after India had won the toss and opted to bowl first.

The 32-year-old Wade was promoted to the captaincy after Aaron Finch was ruled out with injury. He smacked 58 off 32 which included ten fours and a six.

Wade was run out in a comical way when he was dropped at the third attempt by Kohli at over but turned his back and then belatedly tried to make his ground before Kohli’s throw to wicketkeeper Rahul.

Smith chipped in with a breezy 46 off 38 while Glenn Maxwell scored 22 off 13 balls with two sixes. He was caught by Washington Sundar at point off Shardul Thakur.

Moises Henriques was caught behind off Thangarasu Natarajan for 26 off 18 balls. Natarajan was the pick of the bowlers with two for 20.

Read: Jadeja, his sub ‘Chahal’ lead India to beat Australia in first T20I

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