After disappointing ODI series India started their T20 campaign with the win to go 1-0 up in 3 match series. Virat Kohli looked in great form and was declared Man of the Match for his 90 not out. Australia looked good initially chasing huge total of 189 but thanks to Indian bowler Ashwin, Jadeja and debutant Bumrah helped India win by 37 runs.
AUS vs IND: Kohli, spinners power India’s win
After winning the toss Australia put India to bat first. India started off in blistering fashion with Rohit Sharma taking Shaun Tait to cleaners hitting 19 runs in just 11 balls hitting 4 Fours and 1 Six. Rohit scored quick-fire 30 before being caught by Faulkner of Watson bowling. Shane Watson making a comeback into international area was pick of the bowlers. He sent back both the openers in his first over. Making a comeback into Indian team Raina joined Virat in the middle. Although Raina was not at all at his best but still managed to score 41 in 34 balls before being dismissed by Faulkner.
Kohli just continued his form from the One Dayers and looked in total control of the match. He played aggressively from ball one and showed his class scoring all around the wicket. Kolhi scored 90 not out of just 55 balls. He managed 9 Fours and 2 Sixes during his course of innings. Raina and Kohli together controlled middle overs scoring 134 runs in 14.3 overs. Dhoni promoted himself to No. 5 and did what he does best. He smacked Faulkner over mid-wicket followed by a boundary over Point in the last over. India scored 109 runs last 10 overs posting huge total of 188/3 in 20 over.
Australia started off well scoring 47 runs in 5 overs. Finch looked good and showed why he is considered as one of the best T20 batsman in Australia. India struck in 6th over thanks to T20 debutant Japreet Bumrah who had a wonderful to his international career. He picked up Warner initially and later picked two wickets in his last two overs to finish the innings. He finished with bowling figures of 3 for 23 in 3.3 overs. Smith joined Finch and they both together played their shots and looked good to chase down the total.
Australia lost both their batsman in quick succession thanks to Jadeja (2/21) and Ashwin(2/28) who bowled brilliantly in the middle overs. Jadeja got better of Smith (21 of 14 balls) trying to flick the ball in the end getting a leading edge straight to Virat Kolhi in Covers. Finch followed soon trying to sweep Ashwin and missed straight ball. Australia found themselves 89 for 3 and never recovered from that. They kept loosing wickets at regular intervals and were bowled out for 151.
Brief Score:
India 3 for 188 (Kohli 90*) beat Australia 151 (Finch 44, Bumrah 3-23, Jadeja (2/21) and Ashwin(2/28) by 37 runs.
Tags: 1st T20I, Adelaide, Australia, India, T20, Virat Kohli
