India’s humiliating defeat in the 50-overs format has been overshadowed by a mesmerizing T-20 series win against Australia. The visitors beat the home team in the second T-20 international match by 6 wickets and became the second country after Sri Lanka to win two T20I series in Australia.
The game was nothing less than a cliffhanger, with around 400 runs scored in the match. After winning the toss skipper Virat Kohli asked Matthew wade-led Australian side to bat first on a belter of a pitch. The decision looked awful at first as Wade blasted a quickfire half-century to drive Aussies to 194-5. He was accompanied by Steve Smith (46) and Glenn Maxwell (22).
New ‘Yorker King’ T Natarajan proved his mettle once again, he gave away meager 20 runs in a high-scoring game and took two crucial wickets of opener D’Arcy Short and all-rounder Moises Henriques.
His accurate bowling attracted veterans’ attention. Pakistan’s highest Test wicket-taking spinner, Danish Kaneria took to Twitter to praise the young lad. “Natarajan new bowling sensation for India, I am becoming a fan for #Natarajan Bhagwan bless him, A new finisher in making #hardikpandiya,” Said Kenaria after the match.
Natarjan new bowling sensation for India,I am becoming fan for #Natarajan Bhagwan bless him,A new finisher in making #hardikpandiya
— Danish Kaneria (@DanishKaneria61) December 6, 2020
India’s second innings was a perfect example of camaraderie and team unity. From opener K.L Rahul to middle-order batsman Hardik Pandya, everyone contributed equally in registering a win against Aussies. India chased down the target in 19.4 overs with Pandya remaining not out on 42 off just 22 balls.
After a knock like that, all the Aussies could do was tip their hat to Hardik Pandya@alintaenergy | #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/LPNzzznuHN
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 7, 2020
Also read: Hardik, Shreyas guide visitors to 2-0 unassailable lead in T20I series
Skipper Kohli who played a pivotal role in anchoring the chase has gone past the mark of 50 fours against Australia. He has also become the first player to get past 600 runs in Australia-India T-20Is.
Virat Kohli or AB de Villiers? 🤯
Ridiculous shot from the Indian skipper! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/6g8xY8ihIj
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 6, 2020
Shikhar Dhawan’s 36-ball 52 against Australia helped him get past 1,600 career T20I runs (1,641). He is now just the third Indian batsman to achieve this tally. Dhawan even went past Chris Gayle’s tally of 1,627 runs.
Dhawan’s 50 comes up off 34 balls #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/nAC4dTrGaL
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 6, 2020
The southpaw slammed his 11th career T20I fifty and a second versus Australia. He is now the second-highest scorer for India against Australia in T20Is (319).
The Men in Blue have now surpassed Pakistan’s record of most consecutive wins. It is their tenth consecutive T20I victory on the trot. Interestingly, Team India are yet to lose a T20I in the last 12 months with their first win going back to December 2019 against West Indies in Mumbai.
Hardik Pandya is all praise for @Natarajan_91 👌👌#TeamIndia | @hardikpandya7 | #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/NX0nofFZZm
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 6, 2020
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