Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Melbourne, India recorded their first ever bilateral series triumph on Australian soil as they clinched the Twenty20 series by taking an unbeatable 2-0 lead with a 27-run victory in the second T20I here today.
Put in to bat, India relied on brilliant innings by Rohit Sharma (60) and Virat Kohli (59), along with a useful 42 by opener Shikhar Dhawan, to post a formidable 184/3. The Indian bowlers then put up a fine collective effort to rip through Australia’s middle order and restrict the hosts to 157/8.
Before today, India had never beaten Australia in any bilateral series. India have won two multi-team tournaments in that country — the CB Series in 2008 and the Benson and Hedges World Championship in 1985. This triumph is a remarkable turnaround for India, who suffered a humiliating 4-1 debacle in the preceding ODI series.
Chasing 185 for a win, Australia got off to a rollicking start as Shaun Marsh (23) paired up with skipper Aaron Finch (74 off 48 balls, 8 fours, 2 sixes). Indian opening bowlers Ashish Nehra (0-34) and Jasprit Bumrah (2-37) bled runs as Australia’s 50-run mark came in 31 balls. When Ravindra Jadeja (2-32) was brought into the attack, MS Dhoni missed a regulation stumping of Marsh. Finch completed his 50 off just 27 balls, with a six off Ravichandran Ashwin (1-27). Finch got three reprieves in two overs, dropped by Umesh Yadav, Rishi Dhawan and Shikhar Dhawan.
Finally, Hardik Pandya caught Marsh at long on off Ashwin. This was the turning point — Pandya then removed Chris Lynn (2), while Yuvraj Singh (1-7) had Glenn Maxwell (1) stumped in the 12th over. Australia were 101/3 in 11.4 overs. Shane Watson (15) tried to hang around and support Finch, who continued with his big-hitting, despite suffering from a hamstring problem. Watson fell when Jadeja took a stunning reflex return catch in the 15th over. The match turned in India’s favour when Finch was run out off a superb throw from Jadeja from extra cover. With 61 still needed off 28 balls, it was all over for Australia.
Rohit, Dhawan add 97
Earlier, Rohit (60 off 47 balls, 5 fours, 2 sixes) and Kohli (59* off 33 balls, 7 fours, 1 six) struck quickfire half-centuries as India eased to 184/3 after Australia elected to field. The hosts made six changes to their line-up, handing T20 debuts to three players.
Rohit and Dhawan (42 off 32 balls) got off to a slow start, but they did bring up India’s 50 in six overs. They then added 47 in the next five overs, before Dhawan was caught trying to reverse-sweep Glenn Maxwell. Rohit got his eighth T20I 50 off 37 balls.
New batsman Kohli started off from where he had left in Adelaide, where he made 90. He hit John Hastings for three boundaries in the 13th over. The two put up 46 runs for the second wicket in no time, scoring at over 9 an over. Rohit was run out in the 16th over as Kohli refused a second run after hitting the ball to the deep. India were 143/2 after 16 overs when Dhoni walked in. Kohli and the captain added 38 off just 22 balls, and Kohli completed his 11th T20I fifty off only 29 balls. Forty-one runs came off the last four overs.
