Alakshendra Singh, Pune
India closed off the series against Australia with a 6 run win in Bengaluru on Sunday. A young team captained by Suryakumar Yadav ended up being one shy off a full sweep.
India batted first and amassed a total of 160 runs losing 8 wickets in the process.
Both teams had shown an appetite for big totals in the series but Australia managed to
restrict India to some extent. Shreyas Iyer who is fresh off playing an important role in India’s
world cup squad, scored 53 of 37 balls.
Prior to Australia spoiling the fun and removing openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj
Gaikwad during powerplay overs, India had been off to a quick start. Jason Behrendorff
removed Jaiswal for 21(15), while Ben Dwarshuis caused Gaikwad to fall for 10(12). In the
following over, Dwarshuis dismissed Suryakumar Yadav, packing the Indian captain for 5(7).
Arshdeep Singh replaced Deepak Chahar in the squad as the latter had to fly back due to a
medical emergency.
India’s bowling unit fired back by getting the wickets of both Travis Head and Josh Philippe
in the powerplay. Ravi Bishnoi and Mukesh Kumar helped to keep Australia at 50/2 at the
end of the powerplay.
A 54(36) was put up by McDermott until he was removed by the returning Arshdeep. Mukesh
Kumar nearly bagged a hat-trick, taking wickets of Ben Dwarshuis and Matthew Short in
quick succession.
Although it was a largely flat wicket which would benefit the batsmen and result in a big
scoring match, bowlers from both camps held their own. The Australian team made just one
alteration, dropping Chris Green in favour of Nathan Green.
Affairs of the match came right down to the wire, as Australia needed 10 runs off the last
over. Arshdeep Singh delivered for his team by giving away just 3 runs and taking down the
wicket of Matthew Wade.