(Cricket News) In the first T20 International of the five-match series, Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav led from the front with Ishan Kishan, giving an inexperienced India a thrilling two-wicket victory over Australia. Chasing a massive 209-run target, Suryakumar Yadav scored 80 off 42 balls, while Kishan made 58 off 39 balls, which helped India emerge victorious.
After being sent into bat, Josh Inglis smashed his maiden century in the format, smashing a fiery 110 off just 50 balls with the help of 11 boundaries and eight sixes to propel Australia to 208 for three. Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and chose to bowl first against Australia, expecting some dew later on.
Rinku Singh (22 not out off 14 balls) delivered the finishing touches with a six towards the end to take India home. Australia’s leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha (2/47) collected two wickets for Australia.
Batting first, Josh Inglis and Steven Smith quickly put together a partnership of over a hundred runs, with Inglis scoring his first T20I century in just 47 balls and Smith making 110 runs in just 50 balls before being bowled out by Y Jaiswal and Mukesh Kumar. Meanwhile, Steven Smith (52) reached his half century before being RUN OUT on the fifth delivery of the 16th over by Mukesh Kumar.
The Indian squad for the Australia T20 series is largely comprised of relative newcomers to international cricket; many of these players were also part of the Asian Games gold medal-winning team.
Notably, spinner Axar Patel, who was forced to withdraw from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 due to injury, has returned, while wicketkeeper batter Sanju Samson is among the notable omissions. Australia scored 208/3 runs in 20 overs, setting India a target of 209 runs to chase.
Out in the spotlight will be left-handed batter Travis Head, who was also named Man of the Match for the final and guided the Aussies to their sixth World Cup title with his century. In stark contrast, the Australians have chosen to rest a few key players, including David Warner and Pat Cummins, while sticking with much of the same squad that lifted the ICC World Cup trophy in Ahmedabad just a few days ago.
