India hits back in T20I; Suryakumar and team beat Australia by two wickets

VISAKHAPATNAM: Skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan smashed half-centuries to help India secure a two-wicket win over Australia in the first T20I of a five-match series at Visakhapatnam on Thursday. This is India's highest T20I run-chase, outdoing the chase of 208 against West Indies back in 2019. With the win, India has gone up 1-0 up in the series.

In the chase of 209, India started off well with Yashasvi Jaiswal hitting a four and six in the first over, but a miscommunication with Ruturaj Gaikwad ran out the latter for zero. Jaiswal looked to up the attack in the next over, but Matthew Short got his first T20I wicket, removing Jaiswal for 21 off 8 balls.

Ishan and Suryakumar Yadav, the skipper were the fresh pair. After a brief lull, they both started hitting shots. Pacer Sean Abbott went for 20 runs in the fifth over and was hit for a four and two sixes. India reached the 50-run mark in 4.5 overs. The ninth over pulled India back in the game big time, with young spinner Tanveer Sangha hit for two sixes and a four by Ishan. India reached the 100-run mark in 9.1 overs. Ishan reached his half-century, his fourth in T20Is in just 37 balls, with two fours and four sixes. The left-hander attempted to punish Sangha with a four and six. However, a third attempt to clear the ropes was caught by Short. Ishan walked back for 58 off 39 balls, with two fours and five sixes.

Tilak played some good shots but lost his wicket to Sangha after being caught by Stoinis at extra cover for 12. India was 154/4 in 14.5 overs. A knuckle ball was delivered by Jason Behrendorff and Suryakumar skied it, got caught by Aaron Hardie. Surya went back for 80 off 42 balls, with nine fours and four sixes. India was 194/5 in 17.4 overs. Axar was dismissed by Sean Abbott after being caught and bowled for two. India was 207/6 in 19.3 overs. Bishnoi was also run out on the very next ball, leaving India with two to get in two balls.

Rinku attempted a double on the second last ball, but got Arshdeep Singh run out. India was 208/8 in 19.5 overs. But the batter finished things off for India with a six, giving them a series lead. Rinku was unbeaten at 28* in 11 balls, with four boundaries and a six. Sangha (2/47) was the best bowler for Aussies. Short and Behrendorff took a wicket each.

Earlier, an explosive century by Josh Inglis and a 130-run partnership with Steve Smith powered Australia to 208/3. Prasidh (1/50) and Ravi (1/54) took a wicket each. Mukesh's spell of 0/29 in four overs was perhaps the biggest positive for Indian bowlers.