Visakhapatnam witnessed a cricketing spectacle as India clinched a nail-biting two-wicket victory over Australia in the first Twenty20 international. The match, played on Thursday and extending into Friday morning AEDT, was a narrative of individual brilliance and team resilience.
Australian batsman Josh Inglis’s remarkable maiden international century, scoring a spectacular 110 off 50 deliveries, set the stage for an intense showdown. Inglis, joining the elite group of Australians with a T20 international hundred, showcased his class with 11 fours and eight sixes. His ton, achieved in 47 balls, matched Aaron Finch’s record for the fastest T20 hundred by an Australian, set in 2013.
Despite Inglis’s heroics, it was Rinku Singh who stole the show for India. With the match hanging in the balance, Rinku’s last-ball six over the long-on fence sealed the win for India. The match’s climactic finish was further dramatized by Sean Abbott’s 20th over, where he took a wicket and effected two run-outs in three balls, creating a tense situation before Rinku’s match-winning shot.
The match was also significant as a form of retribution for India, following their recent World Cup disappointment. Just four days earlier, Australia had thumped India in the ODI World Cup final.
India’s chase had a rocky start, with Ruturaj Gaikwad run out without facing a ball and Yashasvi Jaiswal scoring 21 before being caught. Suryakumar Yadav, the world’s No.1 ranked T20 batter, was back in his element, scoring 80 runs and, together with Ishan Kishan, who contributed 58 runs, laid the foundation for India’s pursuit.
Steve Smith, opening in a T20 international for the first time, made 52 from 41 balls before an unfortunate run-out. He and Inglis had put together a 130-run partnership, challenging India’s bowling attack.
The match was a display of strategic acumen from both teams, with critical captaincy decisions influencing the game’s outcome. Both sides demonstrated impressive fielding skills, with the atmosphere in the stadium contributing to the match’s excitement.
Looking ahead, the Qantas T20 Tour of India continues, with the second T20 scheduled for 26 November in Thiruvananthapuram, followed by matches in Guwahati, Raipur, and Bengaluru. This series promises more thrilling encounters, with both teams showcasing their depth and talent.
In this high-octane opener, the performances of Inglis and Rinku Singh were the highlights, exemplifying the unpredictable and exhilarating nature of T20 cricket. India’s dramatic victory, achieved in the last gasp of the game, sets a high bar for the upcoming matches in the series.
Qantas T20 Tour of India
- 23 November: India win by two wickets
- 26 November: Second T20, Thiruvananthapuram
- 28 November: Third T20, Guwahati
- 1 December: Fourth T20, Raipur
- 3 December: Fifth T20, Bengaluru
Australia T20 squad: Matthew Wade (c), Aaron Hardie, Jason Behrendorff, Sean Abbott, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa
India T20 squad: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Ruturaj Gaikwad (vc), Ishan Kishan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Shivam Dubey, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar, Shreyas Iyer (last two matches only)
All matches start 12.30am AEDT on the following date
All matches broadcast on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports
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