Dominant India beats Australia by 44 runs in T20I in T'puram, takes 2-0 lead in series

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Fifties from youngsters Yashasvi Jaiswal (53), Ruturaj Gaikwad (58) and Ishan Kishan (52) backed by solid bowling from bowlers guide India to a 44-run win over Australia at the Greenfield Stadium here. With the win, India has taken a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20I series.

After being asked to bat first, India’s top order scripted history by becoming the first top-three Indian trio to register fifty-plus scores in T20Is.

Suryakumar Yadav hit a 10-ball 19 cameo before but failed to make it big. However, Rinku Singh made a quick fire knock and remained unbeaten on 31 runs off just nine deliveries as India ended with 235 for 4 on the scoreboard in the first innings, their fifth-highest score in T20Is.

Australia opening pair of Steve Smith and Mathew Short tried to get their side off to a positive start, but Ravi Bishnoi turned the game on its head with two quick dismissals of Short and Josh Inglis. Aussies lost another two wickets (Smith and Maxwell) quickly before the end of the 8th over and was in trouble at 58/4.

All-rounders Marcus Stoinis and Tim David combined for a 81-run partnership and have a glimmer of hope for Australia.

However, Bishnoi claimed the wicket of David (37) in the 14th over.

Mukesh Kumar took the wicket of Stoinis (45), thereby effectively breaking Australia’s edge in the 236-run chase.

Aussie skipped Mathew Wade scored 42 but it wasn't enough to get the team closer to the target.