Star India allrounder Washington Sundar enhanced his reputation as a T20I hitter, with India batting at full throttle throughout the innings to chase down a target of 187, achieving a series-levelling
five-wicket victory over Australia on Sunday.
This marks the first time Australia have lost a T20I at the Ninja Oval, known as Bellerive Oval.
Star Australia batter Tim David (74 off 38) pummelled the Indian bowling attack, helping Australia reach 186/6 after opting to bat.
Given India’s firepower, it was expected they would go past the target, but Nathan Ellis (3/36) complicated their task with sharp and challenging spells. India reached the target in the penultimate over.
Star India opener Abhishek Sharma (25 off 16) once again produced a flurry of fours in the powerplay, before captain Suryakumar Yadav (24 off 11), Tilak Varma (29 off 26), Axar Patel (17 off 12) and Sundar (49 not out off 23) contributed.
Jitesh Sharma (22 not out off 12), playing his first match of the series, spent valuable time in the middle and finished the job alongside Sundar.
Washington, often underrated as a power-hitter, demonstrated his capability with the long handle, with most of his sixes landing in the cow corner region.
The absence of Josh Hazlewood, whose focus has shifted to the Ashes, made India’s task easier.
Except for Ellis, who troubled the Indian batters with short-pitched deliveries at express pace, the Aussie bowlers were unable to challenge the Indians.
The fourth T20I of the five-match series will be played in Gold Coast on November 6. Opting to bowl in nippy conditions, India began well, courtesy of Arshdeep Singh, who struck twice in a two-over spell on his return to the team.
Arshdeep’s performance earned him the Player of The Match award. Playing his first match of the series, India’s leading wicket-taker in the format, removed the dangerous Travis Head and Josh Inglis, leaving Australia at 14/2.
However, India’s early advantage was neutralised by David (74 off 38), who targeted every Indian bowler in an exemplary display of power-hitting. Four of his five sixes were smacked down the ground, while one was a slap over cover off Axar Patel.
After his dismissal, the seasoned Marcus Stoinis (64 off 39) continued the offensive, taking Australia to a competitive total.
Whether it was the peerless Jasprit Bumrah or mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, David looked to dominate. The latter got a reprieve when batting on 20, as Washington dropped him at point off Bumrah.
It was a regulation catch, although the ball flew towards Washington. India missed the services of injured all-rounder Hardik Pandya, with Shivam Dube being taken to the cleaners by both David and Stoinis.
The sixth bowling option was Washington, but the side opted for the left-arm spin of Abhishek Sharma, who conceded 13 runs in his only over, because there were no left-handers at the crease at that time.
After Arshdeep’s twin strikes in the power play, Chakravarthy slowed the scoring rate by dismissing Mitchell Marsh and Mitchell Owen in consecutive deliveries. The incoming ball to Owen, flicked through the fingers, was a peach.
Arshdeep and Bumrah finished the innings well for the visitors.
(With PTI Inputs)
