Under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian Cricket Team started the T20I series with a thrilling 2-wicket win against Australia played at Vizag on 23rd November 2023.
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and decided to field first. Steve Smith began the innings with an attacking mindset to put pressure back on Indian bowlers. Ravi Bishnoi was bought into attack early dismissing Matthew Short. Smith and Short added 31 runs for the opening wicket. At the end of the first six overs, Australia scored 40 for 1.
Josh Inglis took the attack to Prasidh Krishna keeping the momentum going for Australia. Inglis reached fifty off 29 deliveries and did not allow the Indian bowlers to settle. Smith also looked impressive reaching half-century off 40 deliveries. It was a bitter end as Smith was run out thanks to mix-up. Smith and Inglis added 130 runs for the 2nd wicket.
Josh Inglis was at his prime best taking on the Indian bowlers reaching century off 47 deliveries. He was eventually dismissed for 110 off 56 balls with 11 fours and 8 sixes. Australia posted 208 for 3 in 20 overs. Ravi Bishnoi and Prasidh Krishna took 1 wicket each.
Suryakumar Yadav Led From The Front
Chasing 209 runs to win, Ruturaj Gaikwad was run out involved in a mix-up without facing any deliveries. Jaiswal looked in decent touch putting pressure on the Australian bowling before providing simple catch to Smith at mid-off. Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan put pressure back on the Aussies bowling not allowing them to settle. At the end of six overs, India raced away to 63 for 2.
After the field restrictions, Surya and Kishan kept the momentum going taking singles and hitting boundaries at will. Kishan completed his half-century off 37 deliveries while Surya reached fifty off 29 deliveries. After hitting a six and four, Kishan held out to Short. Kishan and Surya added 112 runs for the 3rd wicket.
Suryakumar Yadav showed an array of strokes putting pressure on the Australian bowling. Tilak Varma hit some valuable shots before Stoinis took a lovely high catch. Rinku Singh hit some attacking shots that eased the pressure.
A stunning catch by Aaron Hardie ended the innings for Suryakumar Yadav. With 7 runs required off 6 deliveries, the match headed for a thrilling finish as Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, and Arshdeep Singh fell quickly. Rinku Singh hit the winning shot as India won the match by 2 wickets with 0 deliveries to spare.
For his 80 off 42 deliveries, Suryakumar Yadav was named the player of the match award. India takes a 1-0 lead in the 5-match T20I series. The second fixture will be played at Thirvanthupram on 26th November.
