Cameron Green smashed 61 and Matthew Wade provided a late onslaught to seal Australia’s four-wicket win in the first Twenty20 International against India on Tuesday. The clash between world champions Australia and current number one India produced a high-scoring match which the tourists clinched by four balls to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Hardik Pandya’s previously unbeaten 71 off 30 balls fired India to an imposing 208-6, their highest score against Australia, after being put into bat at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali.
The hosts lost captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in five overs, but KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav tied the innings with 68 runs. Rahul made 55 as he and Yadav (46) took India to 86-2 at the halfway mark of their innings. India risked losing momentum after both fell in quick succession, but Pandya produced a scintillating knock that was studded with five sixes and seven fours.
The all-rounder raced to a 25-ball fifty and completed a hat-trick of sixes in the final over 21 runs ahead of Green. Nathan Ellis (3-30) was the pick of the Australian bowlers and also sent back Rohit and Rahul with two catches. Aaron Finch (22) signaled Australia’s intent by hitting the first ball of their innings for a six, but failed to convert the start.
Green capitalized on a dropped catch to smash four sixes as Australia reached 109-1 for 10 before their top order collapsed. Green fell after attempting a run against Axar Patel (3-17) and Umesh Yadav, who had bled 16 runs in his first over, came back to remove Steve Smith (35) and Glenn Maxwell, who were behind him in the same over. Wade and Tim David combined for 22 runs off Harshal Patel’s 18th over to turn the match on its head. Singapore-born David departed after making 18 on his Australian debut, but Wade stayed on for a shot of 45 not out from 21 balls to seal victory. India dropped three catches and were left to pity their lethal bowling. The teams will move to Nagpur for the second match on Friday.
Read Now :US, Canadian warships sail through Taiwan Strait after Biden vows to defend island
