Glenn Maxwell nicknamed the “Big Show” yet again proved his mettle as his legend continues to grow. The Australians denied the hosts their third straight victory in a stunning final ball victory, on Tuesday, at the ACA Stadium, Guwahati.
The Toss
Australian skipper Matthew Wade won the toss and chose to field first.
The First Innings
India started slow as opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (6 in 6b) and number three batter Ishan Kishan (0 in 5b) trudged back to the pavilion within the first three overs.
But opener Ruturaj Gaikwad and skipper Suryakumar Yadav steadied the ship with their third-wicket stand of 57 runs. Gaikwad was batting on 22 off 22 balls when skipper Suryakumar(39 in 29b, 5×4, 2×6) was caught behind off the bowling of Aaron Hardie (4-0-64-1).
Yet Gaikwad showed his batting prowess as he switched gears after batter Tilak Verma(31 in 24b, n.o., 4×4) joined him. They both put up an unbeaten 4th wicket stand of 141 runs.
Glenn Maxwell (1-0-30-0) infamously set the record for the most expensive over by an Australian in a T20I by giving away 30 runs. Whereas Jason Behrendorff (4-1-12-1) stood out as he bowled really economically, giving away just 12 runs in his 4 overs.
Ruturaj Gaikwad was simply amazing last night. He displayed his elegant strokeplay with fiery brilliance. Gaikwad scored a whopping 123 runs in just 57 balls, smashing 13 fours and 7 sixes in the process.
It was Gaikwad’s maiden T20I hundred. This was also the first hundred by an Indian against Australia in a T20I. It helped India post a score of 222 runs for the loss of 5 wickets.
The Second Innings
Maxwell may have leaked the most runs in an over earlier in the evening. But he redeemed himself in the second innings as he hit the joint-fastest hundred by an Australian in a T20I.
Openers Aaron Hardie (16 in 12b), Travis Head (35 in 18b, 8×4) and number three batsman Josh Inglis (10 in 6b) gave a good start to the visitors having scored with a run rate of 10 rpo; but they returned to the pavilion in the first 7 overs.
After batters Marcus Stoinis (17 in 21b) and Tim David (0 in1b) returned to the dugout in the 13th and 14th over respectively, Maxwell and skipper Wade took things into their own hands, building an unbroken sixth-wicket partnership of 91 runs
Maxwell continued his magical run as he rescued his team from a tough spot and scored a valiant century. He scored 104 runs in 48 balls, smashing 8 fours and 8 sixes.
43 runs were required in the last 2 overs. The 19th over by Axar Patel went for 22 runs, leaving 21 runs for the last over.
Matthew Wade (28 in 16b, n.o., 3×4, 1×6) took a single to set the stage for Maxwell’s Big Show in the final over. Maxwell hit 6,4,4,4 in the last 4 balls to finish things off in style.
Prasidh’s figures of 4-0-68-0 became the most expensive figures by an Indian in a T20I. Ravi Bishnoi (4-0-32-2) had the best figures in the Indian bowling attack.
The Result
Australia won by five wickets, keeping the series alive. With 2 matches remaining, India leads the five-match series 2-1.
The Road Ahead
India and Australia clash next on December 1, 2023, for the 4th T20I in Raipur. The match starts at 7 pm IST.