Hosts Australia snatched a four-run victory (DLS method) against the visitors India in the first T20I off three-match T20I series at The Gabba (Brisbane) on Wednesday. Chasing the adjusted target of 174 runs, India reached very close but failed to achieve the victory as they scored 169/7 (17 overs).
After winning the toss, the Indian skipper Virat Kohli decided to field first. Though the opener D’Arcy Short (7) fell cheaply, the next batsmen totally controlled the innings. The skipper and another opener Aaron Finch played a 27-run knock that provided a good start for the hosts, while the no.3 batsman Chris Lynn scored 37 off 20 balls (only four and 4 sixes).
After their dismissals by the Indian left-arm chinaman Kuldeep Yadav, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis took the control of that innings as both were focusing to add runs quickly on the board. On the 14th over of the innings, Maxwell smashed three consecutive sixes to the Indian left-arm spinner Krunal Pandya and picked up a total of 23 runs in that over.
When Australia was moving quickly and strongly as they were batting on 153/3 in 16.1 overs, rain interrupted that innings. At that time, Maxwell and Stoinis had an unbroken partnership of 78 runs for the fourth wicket. Maxwell was batting on 46 runs off 23 balls (4 sixes) while Stoinis managed to score 31 off 18 balls (3 fours and only six).
The match resumed around one hour later with three overs cut of each innings and that means Australia had to play only five more balls in that innings. Australia added five runs in the last period and lost the wicket of Maxwell (46 off 24 balls). Stoinis remained unbeaten on 33 off 19 balls and Ben McDermott was not out on 2 runs. While Australia scored 158/4 at the end of the 17 overs, the DLS method adjusted the target as the visitors India needed to chase 174 runs in 17 overs.
Among the Indian bowlers, Kuldeep Yadav (2/24) picked up two wickets while Jasprit Burmah (1/21) and Khaleel Ahmed (1/42) claimed one wicket each.
In reply, the Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan had a 35-run partnership. While Rohit was dismissed for just 7 runs, Dhawan carried the innings with his brilliant batting performance. KL Rahul (13) and Virat Kohli (4) both fell cheaply, however, Dhawan and Rahul had a steady partnership of 46-run for the second wicket.
Meanwhile, Dhawan completed his half-century in 28 balls and scored 76 runs off 42 balls with the help of 10 fours and 2 sixes. When India was struggling on 105/4 in 11.4 overs and just lost the wicket of Dhawan, Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik brilliantly recovered that innings and took the scorecard close to the target. In the very short period of time, they had a 51-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Pant was dismissed in the 16th over after scoring 20 off 16 balls.
In the last over, India needed 13 runs to win but Marcus Stoinis bowled brilliantly and picked up two back-to-back wickets of Krunal Pandya (2 runs) and Karthik (30 runs off 13 balls) and secured the four runs victory (DLS method) after conceding just eight runs in that over. India finished the innings on 169/7 at the end of 17 overs.
Among the Aussie bowlers, Adam Zampa (2/22) and Marcus Stoinis (2/27) both picked up two wickets each while Jason Behrendorff (1/43), Billy Stanlake (1/27) and Andrew Tye (1/47) claimed one wicket each. Zampa won the Player of the Match award for his brilliant bowling.
Here are the Twitter reactions:
India scoring more than Australia yet losing. Australia ke score par laga GST bhaari pad gaya. But a good thrilling game to start the series.#AUSvIND
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) November 21, 2018
A really cracker of a game to begin what promises to be a really good series. Wonderful innings from Shikhar and useful contributions from DK and Pant but in the end Stoinis handled his nerves well. Good game nonetheless #AusvInd
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) November 21, 2018
A great nail-biter to begin. Wonderful innings from @SDhawan25 and some absolute clean hitting by @DineshKarthik but Australia manage to win. Good entertainment to start the series #AusvInd pic.twitter.com/foDHClcT97
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) November 21, 2018
Close one, but Australia got the better of it! Nevertheless, a great innings by @SDhawan25! 1-0 to Australia. #AUSvIND
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) November 21, 2018
Guess Karthik will wonder if he should have run the second from the 1'st ball of the over. But top innings in the situation
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 21, 2018
Many people are telling by just looking at the last few balls and scorecard that Dinesh Karthik didn’t win it for India but they should know that he was the one who helped India to come thus far and of course it won’t happen every time what he did earlier. #AUSvIND
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) November 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/DennisCricket_/status/1065214777524346880
When Karthik remains unbeaten in T20I chases, his team wins. (8 out of 8 times) and when he doesn’t, his team loses. (3 out of 3 times) #AUSvIND
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) November 21, 2018
You got to feel for Dinesh Karthik here, almost pulled off another… Underrated#AUSvIND
— Shreyas (@Why_So_Shreyas_) November 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/Gladwin1981/status/1065218072154320896
https://twitter.com/chirag_63/status/1065218017787764741
https://twitter.com/Aneelgs/status/1065217864251039745
https://twitter.com/RomanaRaza/status/1065217831606734848
When someone explains Duckworth lewis method to Indians. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/6mm7FDn1Y0
— Mask 🎭 (@Mr_LoLwa) November 21, 2018
RT If you think KL Rahul should stick to modeling #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/5P5T53cnTI
— Gitartha Kalita (@gitartha_k) November 21, 2018
Dhoni to selectors. #AUSvIND #MSDhoni pic.twitter.com/tsMPHKvJJF
— Pranjul Sharma (@pranjultweet) November 21, 2018
Kohli Fans right now #AusvsIndonSonyLIV #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/8CkyGzGMb9
— Hugs for Drugs (@happy100rbh) November 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/fakingnews/status/1065169938589995009
Krunal pandya watching his bowling performance. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/Xo6ORNWSUN
— Aditi. (@Sassy_Soul_) November 21, 2018
Duckworth-Lewis-Stern stumped us again..#MysteryMathematics #DLSMethod #DLcalculation #AusVInd 🏏 — feeling lost
— Saurhav Jaiin (@meetsaurhav) November 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/zoro_Thehero/status/1065220924108992517
https://twitter.com/imHPM/status/1065220658232217600
