Australia vs India, 3rd T20I: Chasing a high score in a thrilling contest at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart, India held their nerves to chase down 187 with an over to spare to win the third T20I against Australia by five wickets and level the five-match series 1-1.
Australia vs India, 3rd T20I: How the Hosts Set Up 186/6
Australia, being asked to bat first, notched a decent 186 for 6 in their 20 overs. Despite early setbacks, including the dismissals of Travis Head (6), Mitchell Marsh (11) and Josh Inglis (1), the middle order powered a strong recovery.
Tim David stole the show with a scintillating 74 off 38 balls, smashing 8 fours and 5 sixes at an impressive strike rate of nearly 195.
The support came from Marcus Stoinis, who muscled 64 off 39 balls with 8 boundaries and 2 sixes. The duo stitched a partnership of 90 runs for the fifth wicket to give Australia a strong platform.
Bowlers for India held their nerve and kept the assault at bay. Arshdeep Singh, with 3 for 35, removed crucial batters like Stoinis and Head. Varun Chakaravarthy chipped in with 2 for 33, removing Marsh and Owen, while Bumrah’s miserly spell of 4 overs for just 26 runs ensured the total didn’t exceed 190.
Australia vs India, 3rd T20I: India Chase Starts with a Blast
Chasing 187, India began brightly with Abhishek Sharma (25 off 16) and Shubman Gill (15 off 12) as the opening pair added 33 runs in just over three overs. However, both openers fell inside the powerplay to Nathan Ellis, who emerged as Australia’s best bowler with 3 for 36.
Then, Captain Suryakumar Yadav took over with a blazing 24 off 11 balls, laced with 2 sixes, to keep the run-rate going. At 76/3 in the 8th over, the chase could have wobbled, but India’s middle order held firm.
Australia vs India, 3rd T20I: Washington Sundar’s Heroics Turn the Game
The fearless display from Washington Sundar, who struck 49 off just 23 balls, turned the match decisively in India’s favour. His innings was laced with 3 fours and 4 sixes at a phenomenal strike rate of 218 as he guided India through a tricky middle phase.
Sundar built a 34-run partnership with Jitesh Sharma (22 off 13), who finished unbeaten as India closed the chase in the 19th over at 188/5.
Australia vs India, 3rd T20I: Bowlers’ Day Out Before the Finish
Ellis worked out vital breakthroughs at Australia’s turn 3/36, while Xavier Bartlett chipped in wickets 1/30, as did Stoinis 1/22. Expensive over from Sean Abbott 0/50 in 3 overs and Matthew Short 0/13 in 1 over proved costly.
Arshdeep Singh, meanwhile, led India’s bowling attack once again, while Bumrah’s control in the death overs ensured the chase stayed within reach.
