India vs Australia T20 match: India took a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20 series against Australia with a convincing 44-run win in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. The hosts posted a mammoth 235/4 in 20 overs, thanks to brilliant half-centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan. Australia could only manage 191/9 in reply, despite valiant efforts from Marcus Stoinis, Tim David and Matthew Wade.
India’s batting fireworks – India vs Australia T20 match
India opted to bat first after losing the toss and got off to a flying start with Jaiswal and Gaikwad adding 97 runs in 8.4 overs for the first wicket. Jaiswal was the aggressor, smashing 53 off 25 balls with nine fours and two sixes. He was dismissed by Nathan Ellis, who also removed Gaikwad for 58 off 43 balls in his next over.
However, India did not lose momentum as Kishan joined forces with Suryakumar Yadav and continued the onslaught. The duo added 66 runs in 6.1 overs, with Kishan reaching his fifty in 31 balls. He was eventually caught by Wade off Stoinis for 52, but not before hitting four sixes and three fours. India vs Australia T20 match
The final flourish came from Ravi Singh, who blasted 31 off nine balls with four fours and two sixes. He was well supported by Tejas Varma, who hit a six off the last ball to take India past 230. Ellis was the pick of the Australian bowlers, taking 3/45 in four overs. India vs Australia T20 match
Australia’s chase falls short
Australia needed a strong start to chase down the huge target, but they lost Steven Smith and Josh Inglis cheaply to Avesh Singh and Prasidh Krishna respectively. Matthew Short and Glenn Maxwell tried to rebuild the innings, but both fell to Rahul Bishnoi in the same over.
The match seemed to be over when Australia were reduced to 81/5 in 10.2 overs, but Stoinis and David gave them a glimmer of hope with a 74-run stand in 6.2 overs. Stoinis was particularly destructive, hitting 45 off 25 balls with four sixes and two fours. David also played his part, scoring 37 off 22 balls with four fours and two sixes.
However, their partnership was broken by Axar Patel, who had Stoinis caught by Kishan in the 17th over. David followed soon after, falling to Krishna in the next over. Wade tried to keep the fight going with a quickfire 42 off 23 balls, but it was too little too late for Australia. Krishna and Bishnoi finished with three wickets each, while Avesh, Patel and Mohit Kumar took one apiece. India vs Australia T20 match
Player of the Match
Yashasvi Jaiswal was named the Player of the Match for his blistering knock of 53 off 25 balls, which set the tone for India’s massive total. He hit nine fours and two sixes, and scored at a strike rate of 212. He also took a catch to dismiss Short. India vs Australia T20 match
What’s next?
India vs Australia T20 match: The third T20 will be played on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. India will look to seal the series with another win, while Australia will hope to bounce back and keep the series alive. You can follow the live score and updates of the match on ESPNcricinfo or Cricbuzz. You can also watch the highlights of the second T20 on Al Jazeera or Hindustan Times.
