An amazing start for the visitors here then, taking an unassailable lead in the 2-match T20I series. Up to the Indians now then to make a comeback and share honors in this series as the bandwagon shifts to Bengaluru for the second game. It promises to be another impressive game in the offing. Signing off from here, hope you had fun watching this thriller as we did covering it. See you on 27th Feb, Wednesday at 1900 local (1330 GMT) for the final game of this series at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. Until then, take care! Cheers!
Man of the Match, Nathan Coulter-Nile, says they bowled really well and scraped through in the end. Mentions they worked out quickly it was not coming on and he tried to hit the surface hard by digging it in. Ends by saying he feels really good about the win and he hopes to seal the series in the next game.
Australian skipper, Aaron Finch, says the wicket got lower and slower as the game progressed. Further adds the run out also did not help them. Credits the bowlers for the way they bowled in the first innings. Mentions they have some strong bowlers to pick from which is a good thing. Praises Coulter-Nile for the way he bowled.
Indian skipper, Virat Kohli, says he is very pleased with their bowling but they were not up to the mark with the bat. Mentions he never thought they would be in the position they were in the 20th over but credits Bumrah for his effort. Also appreciates the effort by Markande for his overs in the middle stage. Informs it is their plan to give Rahul and Pant some game time. Reckons something around 150 is what they were looking for. Ends by saying the Aussies deserved to win.
As far as the Indian bowling is considered, they tried really hard and fought valiantly to defend an under-par score but in the end just fell short. Jasprit Bumrah was exceptional picking up 3 wicket for just 16 runs with support from the spinners. Umesh Yadav was a tad bit disappointing except for a good over in the middle. Earlier on in the evening, India despite a half-century from KL Rahul could not post a good total and ended up with just 127 on the board. For the Aussies the star with the ball was Nathan Coulter-Nile as he picked up 3 wickets but the other bowlers were economical as well. Thus, the Australians have just about gotten over the line in this first T20I with the help of a fifty from Maxwell and heroics with the bat from their bowlers in the end. A bitter pill to swallow for the hosts but a superb cricket match which made for an amazing watch. Presentations to follow...
What a humdinger of a game we have had here. The Australians had almost lost it from a perfect position but then stolen the game from the jaws of defeat. 14 runs off the last over and 2 off the last ball has ensured that the visitors have taken an unassailable lead in this 2-game ODI series. Take a bow, Jhye Richardson and Pat Cummins to have won the game from where it looked like India were favorites. Nevertheless though, this game should have not come so far till the last ball of the match. The Aussies began really poorly in the chase as they were two down with just 5 runs on the board. But what followed was exceptional hitting from Maxwell and Short as they took their team to a winning position with an 84-run stand. There again swung the pendulum as the wicket of Maxwell fell. The Aussies seemed like they pressed the panic button as the following batsmen went in a procession and the runs were drying up. Bumrah bowled an outstanding 19th over and left Umesh with 13 to defend off the last. Two boundaries and two couples in the final over though helped the visitors cross the line and win the game by 3 wickets. An absolute thriller but the away team came away as deserved winners.
19.6A brace! Australia have done it! It is Cummins who has hit the winning runs. Umesh Yadav fails to hold his nerve as he has conceded the 14 runs needed in the last over. Goes full again, Cummins with a straight bat strokes it past the diving bowler. Now the weight on the shot is just perfect, not too hard for the long on fielder to cut it off quickly, not too little for the mid off fielder to get across. They run one, go for the second, the fielder makes it easy for them by throwing it at the bowler's end which is probably the wrong end as the non-striker would have got a head start, two completed. All smiles in the Australian camp and why not? THEY HAVE WON IT OFF THE LAST BALL, WITH 3 WICKETS IN HAND!
19.5FOUR! And Cummins hits it! 2 needed in one now! Another low full toss but this time there is width on offer and Cummins cashes in on it. He strokes it through covers. It is away from the fielder in the deep and a boundary results.
19.4Just a single! Goes very full, a low full toss in fact. Difficult to get under those. Richardson hits it down to long on for a run. 6 in 2. Australia need a boundary on the next ball.
A field change, actually just a swap of fielders. Kohli goes to the deep and sends the fielder at deep mid-wicket inside the circle.
19.3What running! Brilliant! A good yorker on middle, Jhye blocks it and the ball rolls towards long on. The bowler should have run to the ball there but instead long on comes in and by that time, the batsmen can pick up two. Incredible stuff! 7 runs off 3 balls now.
19.2FOUR! What a shot! Looks like someone has turned off the volume at the stadium. A short of a length ball on top of middle and Richardson holds his position and pulls this through deep square leg for a boundary. 9 off 4 balls.
19.1Slower ball following the batsman who was making room, Cummins looks to loft it over long on but mistimes it, it goes on the bounce towards long on for a single. 13 off 5 now.
Jhye Richardson walks out next. Umesh Yadav will bowl the last over with 14 runs required for the Aussies to win.
18.6OUT! TIMBER! The crowd here is going bonkers! A corker of a yorker this one! Too good for Nathan Coulter-Nile! Two wickets in two balls for Bumrah. Comes steaming in and bowls it right in the blockhole. Nathan Coulter-Nile fails to bring his bat down in time and the ball sends the leg stump for a walk. What a penultimate over this has been from Bumrah, 2 runs and 2 wickets from it. This guy just never fails to deliver. 113/7
Pat Cummins walks out next to bat, he will not be on strike though as the batsmen crossed when the catch was being taken.
18.5OUT! The last recognized batsman is out of here. And now, one can say, the Indians are favourites to win this game. Bumrah's over keeps getting better. Sees Handscomb come down the track and outsmarts him. He bangs it short. PH is in no position to play the pull but still goes for it. The ball takes the top edge and lobs to the left of Dhoni. He calls for it and the man who has nerves of steel takes a high-pressure catch. This is also Bumrah's 50th wicket in T20Is, it could probably be the one which wins India the game.
18.4Shortish and on middle, it skids through. Coulter-Nile is hurried into the stroke. He only manages to hit it down to long on for a run. Singles won't harm India here.
18.3Swing and a miss! Back of a length around off, NCN swings but only connects with thin air. The gap between balls to be bowled and runs needed is 6. Pressure building.
18.2Uses his feet but Bumrah follows him, Handscomb works it through square leg for only a single. Just a single from the first two balls.
18.1A dot to begin with! Short and outside off, Handscomb looks to play across the line but misses.
Jasprit Bumrah it is to bowl the 19th over. A very important over one can say.
17.6He does! A flighted ball on middle and Handscomb chips it towards long on for a single. A brilliant over from the debutant in trying conditions. Only 5 off it in the end. He ends with figures of 4-0-31-1. 16 runs required off 2 overs now. 111/5
17.5Nathan gets a single this time as he powers it down to long off. This is a top over so far, can he end it well?
17.4Flatter one outside off, Coulter-Nile looks to hit it back down the ground but hits it straight at Mayank. He almost misses it but that does not cost a run. Pressure on NCN.
17.3Another googly, Nathan looks to cut but ends up hitting it to covers.
17.2That was risky! The googly and Handscomb did not pick it. He goes back and looks to guide it off the stumps. He luckily gets bat to it and a single is taken towards short third man.
17.1Lovely shot! Very delightful to the eye that! Flighted ball and on off, it is a little too full. Handscomb just leans into it and caresses it through covers. The fielder from long off, Rahul, runs to his left, slides and seems to have stopped the boundary. The umpire goes upstairs to check and replays show that he has done well. Saves two in a game where every run matters.
Very close stuff! Has Rahul's foot touched the rope here? The two runs in question could come into play... let's see what the replays have to say as the umpire wants to check it upstairs.
Mayank Markande comes back on.
16.6Sensible from Handscomb! Pushes the last ball to long off slightly uppishly but safely for a single. End of a good over from Krunal, 5 runs and a wicket off it. He ends with awesome figures of 4-0-17-1. 21 runs required in 18 balls now. 106/5
16.5Another single down to long off. This could be stopped though as it goes over the hand of the diving bowler.
16.4Flatter and shorter, PH pushes it to long on and gets to the other end.
16.3Times it nicely down to long off and a run is taken. Gets off the mark straightaway.
Nathan Coulter-Nile is the new man in.
16.2OUT! Bowled 'em! Are the Aussies pulling the trigger on themselves here? Unnecessary shot and the stumps are disturbed. Krunal bowls this one flatter and straight on middle. Turner comes inside the line and looks to paddle sweep the ball into the vacant fine leg region. He misses and the bowler hits. Just singles are needed and such shots are not needed. The game is surely on here! Pressure of the twelfth man also weighs in as the crowd has come alive here.
16.1A flatter one on middle, Peter pushes it to long on and gets to the other end.
Krunal Pandya to bowl now.
15.6A dot to end! Turner makes room and Yadav follows him. Turner looks to keep it out but gets an inside edge onto his pads. The ball rolls towards point. Just three and a wicket from this over. Now 26 more needed in 24. 101/4
15.5Third dot ball on the row and the crowd is alive once more! A length ball outside off, cut away hard by Turner but the ball goes straight to point.
15.4A yorker taken on the full by Ashton as he drives it to mid on. Two dot balls to the new batsman.
15.3A fuller ball on middle, Turner looks to drive it through cover but the ball goes towards mid-wicket off the inside edge off the bat.
Ashton Turner walks in at number 6.
15.2OUT! Another run out and it is Short, the well-set batsman who is taking the long walk back. Umesh bowls a full ball on the pads, Peter Handscomb flicks it through backward square leg. Pandya from fine leg moves to his left and stops it. The batsmen till then, complete one. Peter is off for the second. Short is a little hesitant and hence, Peter stops. Short also then stops and looks to turn back and get in. However, the throw till then gets to Dhoni and he underarms it onto the stumps. He then throws it to the bowler at the other end but Short is already given out at his end. Bonus wicket for India, is this the sniff they wanted?
15.1100 up for the Aussies! A length ball outside off, pushed away to deep cover for a single by Short. 27 required now from 29 balls.
15.1Wide! The ball is sprayed down the leg side by Yadav and is penalized by the umpire.
Umesh Yadav is back on.
14.6OHHHH! The googly almost does the trick. It pitches around leg, Handscomb does not pick it at all. He looks to drive with a gap between bat and pad. It sneaks through, goes agonizingly close past the leg pole. Dhoni too fails to collect it and the batsmen take two. No signal from the umpire there so there must be an inside edge. Replays confirm the same. 98/3
14.5On the shorter side, Short pushes it down to long on for a run.
14.4Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
14.3FOUR! That should release all the pressure India were looking to build. Another flatter ball and outside off, D'Arcy transfers his weight onto the front foot and strokes it through covers. Beats the man in the ring and then it is a boundary.
14.2Flatter and outside off, Short looks to cut but picks the wrong ball, luckily for him, it gets beaten.
14.1Flighted ball on off, PH strokes it down to long off for a run.
Mayank Markande is back.
13.6Handscomb is off the mark as he cuts this shorter and slower one outside off for a single to deep cover. A successful over from Chahal comes to an end. He ends with figures of 4-0-28-1. 90/3
13.5Slower through the air this time, Handscomb looks to work it through mid on but short mid-wicket runs to his right and does not allow a simple single. Two dot balls to begin with for Handscomb.
13.4Flatter and on off, Peter goes back and pushes it to covers.
Peter Handscomb, the debutant, walks out to bat.
13.3OUT! Maxwell holes out! He departs after an amazing fifty. Chahal has flighted this one outside off, Maxwell reaches out for the ball and looks to deposit it over long off but the bat turns in his hand as he completed the shot. Rahul at long off settles under the ball and takes a comfortable catch. The target is not a big one but this wicket can still set the cat among the pigeons if a few more follow. The equation is just 38 runs in 39 balls though.
13.2Chahal does not learn from the last ball! He bowls it again down the leg side, Maxwell sweeps again but not as fine as the last ball. The fielder at fine leg does really well to run to his right, dive and saves a couple for his side.
13.1FOUR! Poor ball! Down the leg side, Maxwell does really well to sweep it fine on the leg side. No chance for the fielder at fine leg. Pin-drop silence here. 40 more needed in 41 balls.
12.6FIFTY! What an innings this has been from the 'Big Show'! In complete control. A fuller length ball which is whipped towards long on for a run. He came in at a tough time when two early wickets fell and even though the target was not a big one, he has taken care of his team. 44 runs required off 42 balls now. 83/2
12.5Swings through the line but misses! A short of a length ball on top of middle, Maxwell makes room and looks to flat-bat it but the extra bounce takes the ball over the bat of Glenn.
12.4Short of a length from around the wicket to the southpaw, D'Arcy pulls it away to deep backward square leg for a run.
12.3Fuller one on middle and leg, Maxwell swings through the line and hits it along the ground for a single to long on. Looks like he wanted more from that as he lets out a groan.
12.3Wide! An attempted slower ball from Umesh goes really wrong. He sprays it down the leg side and it is wided by the umpire.
12.2A surprise bouncer on middle, Maxwell swivels and looks to pull the ball but takes the inner edge and onto the body of the batsman.
12.1Length ball outside off, Short pushes it to deep cover for a single.
Umesh Yadav is back into the attack.
11.6Much, much slower and outside off, Maxwell is guilty of going very hard at the ball. He ends up chopping it to the keeper. 78/2
11.5On the shorter side, Short has enough time to read which way it is spinning, he lets the ball do its bit and then clips it around the corner for a run.
11.4THe wrong 'un! D'Arcy picks it and pushes it to covers.
11.3A little too full on the pads, Maxwell works it through mid-wicket easily and takes a single.
11.2The leggie now! It turns back in sharply. Short looks to flick but gets an inside edge towards short fine leg for a run.
11.1FOUR! Cut and cut nicely! The googly outside off, the length is shorter. Short picks it up quickly, goes back and cuts it through point. The fielder in the deep runs to his right, dives but his effort goes in vain.
Yuzvendra Chahal is back into the attack.
10.6Once again an over is ended with a single as Short goes back and punches it down to long on. 71/2
10.5Short goes back and works it towards mid on. Mid-wicket moves across to his right quickly and saves a single. Every run is crucial for India here.
10.4Now eases it down to long off for a run.
10.3Fired on off, Maxwell pushes it to covers.
10.2Short now works it with the spin through square leg and takes a single. Need not take any risk here.
10.1Works it with the angle through mid-wicket for a run.
9.6Another single to end and Australia now need run-a-ball. Maxwell slaps this through covers and takes a single. Expensive over by Markande, 11 from it. 67/2
9.5Short looks to cut but it is too close to play that shot. He gets an inside edge onto it. The ball bounces on the crease and deflects towards third man off Dhoni's pad. Hence D'Arcy is able to get to the other end.
9.4Goes back and punches it down to long off for a run.
9.3SIX! Into the stands it goes! 'No, no, no' goes Dhoni behind the wickets and you see exactly why. Markande has flighted it nicely outside off and Maxwell takes full toll. He smashes it way back into the crowd at wide long on.
9.2The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total.
9.1Just short! Luck going Australia's way here. He goes for the slog sweep but picks the wrong ball as the length was not quite there. It goes off the higher portion of the bat towards Rohit Sharma at deep mid-wicket. He dives forward to take it but the ball is just short. A single taken.
8.6A single to end the over from Glenn. Krunal bowls it flat and quick at the pads, flicked away for a run to deep mid-wicket. A decent over for the Indians, just 5 runs off it in the end. 56/2
8.5Flatter ball outside off, pushed to the point fielder by Maxwell.
8.450-run stand up and a very important one. They joined association when Australia lost two quickly and now have taken the visitors to safer shores. Need to continue as they are set and a new batsman won't find it easy. This is fired on middle, Short looks to drive but but gets an inside edge onto his pads. It rolls towards short third man for a run.
8.3NOT OUT! Maxwell has just made it! The arm ball outside off, it comes in with the angle. Maxwell cuts it towards point. He takes off for a run. Chahal throws down the stumps at the non-striker's end. An appeal follows but not a confident one. Replays roll in and they show that Maxwell is safe. Australia will breath a sigh of relief as another run out is the last thing they would have wanted.
Run out appeal... A direct hit from the point fielder at the bowler's end. Maxwell is the man in question but he does not look too concerned, only a little pensive. Even the Indians are not celebrating, looks like the man might have just made it.
8.2Slower through the air on middle, Maxwell keeps it out.
8.1Fired in on middle, Maxwell works it through mid-wicket and takes a brace. 74 more in 71.
7.6FOUR! That is a supreme shot! Some width on offer for the southpaw outside off, Short rocks back and cuts it wide of deep cover for a boundary. It brings up the 50 for the visitors too. 76 runs are required in 72 balls now. 51/2
7.5This time the cut is in the gap as it goes to deep cover for a run.
7.4That was very very slow! Outside off and Maxwell waits really long for the ball to arrive before cutting it straight to the fielder at cover. Lets out a groan feeling he missed out there.
7.3A quicker one outside off, cut hard but straight to the cover fielder by Glenn.
7.2Flatter one on off stump, pushed back to long on for a run by Short. Was close to Mayank, but he could not stop it with a dive.
7.1A flatter one outside off to start off in international cricket, hit hard to long off for a single by Maxwell.
Mayank Markande, the debutant, is on now.
6.6Another single to end the over. Maxwell watchfully takes a run down to long on without much risk. 3 runs off KP's first over. 44/2
6.5Slower through the air and on a middle length, Maxwell pushes it slightly to the right of the bowler where Krunal runs and fields it.
6.4A flatter one outside off, punched back to long on for a run as Maxwell comes back on strike.
6.3On the money to the southpaw just outside off, pushed back to the bowler by Short.
6.2A slower and lower one outside off, Glenn mistimes his pull towards mid-wicket for a run.
6.1Flatter one on the stumps, pushed back to the bowler by Maxwell.
Krunal Pandya to bowl once the field is relaxed.
5.6Another single to end the last over of the Powerplay as Maxwell strokes it towards mid on! 13 from the 6th. Australia are 41 for 2 after it. On other days you would say it is the bowling side who would be happier of the two sides but it is Australia who will be happier according to the context of the game. 86 needed in 84. 41/2
5.5D'Arcy now eases it down to long on for another single. Singles will do at the moment.
5.4Bats sensibly and works it towards wide mid on for a run.
5.3The slider on the stumps, Glenn goes back and cuts it to point.
5.2FOUR! Gets better for the visitors. 10 from the first two, this was all timing. Again it is slightly short, GM on the back foot, whips it through mid-wicket and a boundary results.
5.1SIX! Maxwell has picked the bones out of that one. The key here was, he picked the length early. Short and on middle, Maxwell rocks back quickly and pulls it over the mid-wicket fence. Ideal start to the over.
Yuzvendra Chahal is back on and will bowl the last over of the Powerplay.
4.6Having got 6 from the over, Short smartly defends the last one to point. 28/2
4.5FOUR! Uppish but in the gap! The slower ball again but the length is fuller outside off. Short hits it uppishly but in the gap through covers. Once it beats the fielders in the ring, you are not going to stop it.
4.4Back of a length on off, the batter blocks it out.
4.3Leading edge... but just short! Good effort though from Yadav. Once again a slower one on middle, Short looks to flick but closes the face of the bat early. It takes the leading edge and goes uppishly towards mid on. Umesh there runs in and dives but the ball falls short.
4.2Slower ball on off, Short waits for it and guides it to point.
4.1Short works it with the angle and strokes it through square leg for a couple. Runs starting to come now.
3.6FOUR! Third boundary in the over and a much-needed over for Australia. Maxwell is into the act once again. He clears his front leg for another time and lofts it over the bowler's head. The gap in run and balls needed was 16 at the start of this over, it has come down to 9 now. 22/2
3.5FOUR! Umesh Yadav is releasing all the pressure built by the bowlers before. Excellent wrist work here from Maxwell. Shuffles across and flicks it past the short fine leg fielder. Once you get it past him, you need not run.
3.4Now follows it up with a solid defense.
3.3FOUR! Excellent shot! Clears his front leg as Umesh bowls it short. Maxwell smacks it over mid off for a boundary. Dealing in boundaries is Maxwell.
3.2Close! Length ball around off, Short stands tall and pushes it to mid off. He sets off for a run. Pant gets to the ball quickly and has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses. Replays show, had Pant hit, Short would have been short.
3.1Starts off with a surprise short ball. Short looks to pull but it hits his glove and then onto the ground.
Umesh Yadav comes on to bowl now.
2.6FOUR! Releases all the pressure that was building. Top shot to get off the mark from Maxwell. Bumrah is guilty of bowling it a little too full here. Maxwell strokes it with the full face of the bat, through covers and it races away to the fence. 4 runs and a wicket from this over. Another good over for India. 118 in 102 needed. 9/2
2.5Back of a length on off, another back foot defense.
2.4Beats the outside edge this time. It pitches on off and holds its line. Maxwell has a tentative poke at it and gets beaten.
2.3This time he gets behind the line of the ball and defends it solidly.
2.2BEATEN! On the inside. The Indians have their tails up here. Full again and outside off, it shapes back in. Maxwell looks to drive it through the off side with no foot movement. His inside edge though gets beaten.
Glenn Maxwell walks out to the middle.
2.1OUT! No it does not! The ball is just clipping the leg stump and the Aussie skipper is a goner. Bumrah strikes and Australia have lost two in two balls. A fuller length ball on middle, going on with the angle. Finch is stuck in his crease and looks to push the ball without much foot movement. Misses it and gets struck on the pads. The umpire raises his finger as the Indians appeal. Aaron Finch consults his partner and reviews. The replays roll in, show us there is no bat involved. Ball Tracking follows and shows us that the ball would have just gone on to clip the leg stump. The umpire's call will stand, Finch has to go but fortunately does not take a review with him. These wickets will fire up the Indians, much-needed for them defending a small total.
Review time... Aaron Finch has been adjudged LBW here first ball, he has gone upstairs here. The only saving grace here could be if the ball misses the leg stump. Will it?
Aaron Finch, the skipper walks in at number 3.
1.6OUT! The crowd here erupts as Stoinis is just short and this is the worst start possible for the Aussies. This is the last thing the visitors would have wanted, a run out. Short works this ball on the pads towards the right of Yadav at short fine leg. Stoinis is in a hurry to get to the other end but D'Arcy is not interested. Marcus now has to turn back and get into the crease. In the meantime, Yadav throws the ball to the bowler who collects it and whips the bails off. An appeal follows and it is a confident one and the umpire takes it upstairs. Replays show that Stoinis has to take the long walk back. A run and run out from this over, top stuff from Chahal. 5/1
Run out appeal... The Indians are celebrating here. Marcus Stoinis, the man in question looks a bit worried. Let's see what the replays have to say about Umesh Yadav's throw and run out attempt.
1.5Slower through the air this time, the line is a little too straight though. Stoinis works it through mid-wicket and takes a run.
1.4Four dot balls! This is the slider and on middle, Stoinis looks to hit it over mid off but it goes off the inner half towards mid on.
1.3BEATEN! The slider and outside off, Stoinis looks to hit it through the off side but is beaten by the extra bounce. Three dots to begin with by Chahal.
1.2Flatter and shorter, a little bit of turn there. Stoinis stands tall and punches it to mid on.
1.1Tosses it up on off, Stoinis strokes it back to the bowler.
Yuzvendra Chahal to bowl from the other end.
0.6Much better ball from Jasprit as he bowls this outside off on a length. Defended by DS towards the off side. 4 runs off the first over. 4/0
0.5FOUR! Goes around the wicket and it helps Short immediately. The ball is on the pads and it is flicked away through square leg for a well-timed boundary. D'Arcy is really strong off his pads and Bumrah would do well to stay away from them.
0.4Pushed back to mid on off the back foot for another dot, 4th off the over.
0.3On the money once more, a solid straight bat presented in defense by Short to this short of a length ball on middle.
0.2Slightly on the pads, D'Arcy misses his flick and gets hit high on the pad.
0.1A length ball on top of middle to start off with to Short, the lefty defends it from the crease.
We are back for the chase. The Indian team and the Aussie openers are out in the middle. Marcus Stoinis and D'Arcy Short to start. No Finch? Surprise! For India, it is Jasprit Bumrah to bowl the first over.
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