(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Published: Sat 2 Dec 2023, 11:53 AM
India exacted a modicum of revenge for their loss to Australia in the final of the 50-overs World Cup by clinching the T20 series against them with a match to spare following their 20-run victory in Raipur on Friday.
Put into bat in the penultimate match of the series, India posted 174-9 with Rinku Singh (46) and Jitesh Sharma (35) shining with the bat though they could not make the most of the final overs.
When they returned to defend, Axar Patel (3-16) wrecked Australia's top order and the tourists eventually managed 154-7 to see India grab an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series.
“We just didn't play the spin very well through the middle,” said Matthew Wade, the interim captain of the Australian cricket team in Twenty20 International cricket.
“They got hold of us in the fourth and fifth over and they didn't really let go. Some areas to tidy up, especially against the spin.
"We couldn't do the job with the bat. Just to continue to learn from the guys who are already established in the team and to have depth in the squad is really key as the T20 World Cup is around the corner," he added.
Earlier, Yashasvi Jaiswal (37) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (32) combined in a breezy 50-run opening stand before the home side lost three quick wickets including that of skipper Suryakumar Yadav.
Rinku and Jitesh shored up India and at 129-4 after 15 overs, the home side looked poised for a late flourish that could take them near the 200-mark.
Australia, however, pulled things back in the final five overs conceding only 45 runs and claiming five wickets.
Ben Dwarshuis (3-40) struck twice in his final over and three wickets, including a run out, fell in the final over of the innings from Jason Behrendorff (2-32).
Patel fell for a first ball duck but the all-rounder decided to make amends with the ball when Australia began their chase.
The left-arm spinner dismissed opener Travis Head (31) and number four batter Aaron Hardie in his successive overs and went on to remove Ben McDermott in his final over to reduce Australia to 87-4 in the 12th over.
Matthew Wade smashed an unbeaten 36 off 23 balls but it was not enough in the end.
Both the ODI World Cup finalists had fielded second-string squads for the T20 series, which concludes in Bengaluru on Sunday.
Brief scores
Fourth T20 international, Raipur
India 174-9 (20 overs): Rinku 46 (29), Jaiswal 37(28); Dwarshuis 3-40
Australia 154-7 (20 overs): Wade 36* (23), Head 31 (16); A Patel 3-16
India won by 20 runs
MENAFN02122023000049011007ID1107524948
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.