Maxwell's heroic knock power Australia to five wicket win against India in third T20I

GUWAHATI: Almost mimicing his World Cup knock against Afghanistan, Glenn Maxwell almost single-handedly guided Australia to a five-wicket victory in the third T20I at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Maxwell's blazing knock of an unbeaten 104 off 48 balls took Aussies to the target of 223 in the final ball of the chase and he became the joint fastest Australian player to complete a century in the history of T20Is joining Aaron Finch and Josh Inglis.

After being put into bat first, India's Ruturaj Gaikwad's thunderous century helped India get to 222 in 20 overs. He struck 123 off 57 balls.

While chasing 223, Australia steamrolled in the first four overs amassing 46 runs. Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh provided the breakthrough with a swinging delivery sending Hardie back with a score of 16(12).

Avesh Khan took his first wicket of the night dismissing the dangerous-looking Head for a score of 35(18).

After Bishnoi dismissed Josh Inglis with a quick googly, Australia ended the first 10 overs with a score of 105/3.

Ravi Bishnoi's continued to cause trouble to Australia and dismissed Tim David for a golden duck. But from that point, Maxwell guided Australia to victory and silenced the Indian bowling line-up with his pure power hitting.

In between, skipped Suryakumar Yadav dropped Matthew Wade's catch adding to India's woes.

In the final two overs, Prasidh Krishna and Axar Patel conceded 45 runs. Prasidh had 21 runs to defend in the final over but Maxwell managed to take Aussies over the line and clinched the victory by five wickets.

He struck 123* off 57 balls powering India to a mammoth total of 222/3.