Suryakumar Yadav’s explosive 42-ball 80 on captaincy debut, his 112-run stand with Ishan Kishan (58 off 39 balls), and the finishing act from Rinku Singh all contributed to India’s thrilling two-wicket win over Australia in the first of five T20I series in Vizag on Thursday (November 23). Australia posted a good total of 208 thanks to Josh Inglis’ frantic 47-ball ton and also had India at 22/2, but the Suryakumar-Ishan stand allowed India move into cruise control, with the stand-in captain almost batting through the chase. A late collapse threatened a robbery, but Rinku held his cool to guide India to victory off the final ball.
A first for Steve Smith
He’s been around for a while, but it took until November 23rd, 2023 for Australia’s top batter to begin the innings for the first time in his career. Smith began with a few limits, despite not timing them effectively. As Australia got off to a good start, his opening partner Matthew Short hit three boundaries.
India scores with a wrist spin.
Suryakumar went to spin very early after Australia’s openers started well, and while Axar Patel’s first over did not yield a reward, leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi broke through. A well-hidden googly dipped and spun past Short’s swipe across the line, causing the timber to shake.
Inglis sets fire to Vizag
He didn’t receive many chances to shine in the ODI World Cup, but Josh Inglis’ skill shines brightly in T20 cricket. Inglis, who batted at number three, wasted no time in acclimating to the pitch’s pace and toying with India’s bowlers. There were pictures all over the place, and the modest ground proportions suited Inglis perfectly. Spin wasn’t easy to take on, but he did it with ease, even as Smith labored with timing throughout. Inglis kept the momentum going with his century off just 47 balls, putting Australia on track for a 200-plus total.
Mukesh, India’s lone bright spot
India’s bowlers were all slammed, and while Axar Patel was economical as well, he received some abuse in his later overs. Mukesh Kumar, on the other hand, stood out for his clarity of planning and execution, giving only 29 runs in four overs, including a scant five runs in the 20th over to give India some breathing room.
Ruturaj would rather forget this diamond.
Diamonds are priceless, but diamond ducks are not, and Ruturaj Gaikwad was the unhappy receiver after a miscommunication with opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal. Australia got a gift-wrapped wicket early in the second half, resulting in a comfortable run out. Jaiswal also fell in chase of upping the ante after a few boundaries and a six, leaving India at 22/2 in the third over.
Turn it on, Suryakumar and Ishan.
Suryakumar, the top-ranked T20I batter, showed no signs of jitters in his leadership debut and got right to work. Ishan got off to a shaky start with a maiden against Jason Behrendorff, but with his skipper hitting them out clean at the other end, the left-hander gradually found his flow as well. The explosive pair ripped Australia’s bowlers apart, particularly leggie Jason Sangha, who was blasted for boundaries and sixes galore. The lack of dew, which Suryakumar had expected when choosing to bowl at the toss, worked in Australia’s favor. This stand, however, continued to benefit India in the chase.
Sangha’s two-goal performance gives Australia optimism.
Sangha dismissed Ishan and Tilak Varma in consecutive overs, denting India’s charge slightly. Despite getting pummeled, the leggie kept his cool and allowed Australia a short window of chance to come back into the game.
Suryakumar kicks it up a notch to put India on the verge of defeat.
The two wickets didn’t phase the stand-in skipper, who instead improved his strokeplay. Nathan Ellis, Australia’s death specialist, went the distance in the 16th over, which yielded 18 runs. It left India with only 20 deliveries to complete in the remaining 18 deliveries. Rinku also provided excellent support to his captain by hitting some timely boundaries at the other end.
Rinku maintains his cool in the face of the late-night turmoil.
Suryakumar died in the pursuit of a rapid end to the game, and his death provided Australia a chance to come back. Rinku maintained the tempo with two key boundaries, one off the final ball of the 19th over and the other to begin the 20th over. These were invaluable in the context of what followed. With two required off three balls, Axar miscued one straight up for Sean Abbott to take the return catch, while Bishnoi was run out on the second run, leaving India needing one off the final ball. Rinku kept his cool to hit a six over long-on, but it didn’t count because Abbott overstepped, resulting in a no-ball.
