IND vs AUS 3rd T20I : Pandya’s 4 Wicket Haul and Kohli’s Chase Draw the Series 1-1

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Sydney : 

Left arm spinner Krunal Pandya’s 4 wicket haul and Indian Captain Virat Kohli’s 61* (41) helped India level the 3 match T20I series 1-1.

Earlier Australian captain Aaron Finch won the toss and surprised one and all by electing to bat first. Australia had a brilliant start. D’Arcy Short and Aaron Finch stitched together a partnership of 68 before wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav got Finch. He made 28 (23).

Immediately in the next over, Krunal Pandya struck twice on consecutive balls getting rid of D’Arcy Short and Ben McDermott leg before wicket. Short made 33 (29).

Maxwell couldn’t get going. He made 13 (16) before Rohit Sharma caught him off Pandya. Alex Carry was looking good with some exquisite drives but Pandya got him as well. He made 27 (19). Pandya now has the best figures by a spinner in Australia.

Nathan Coulter-Nile and Marcus Stoinis batted well in the death overs giving themselves a respectable total to defend. Stoins made 25 (15). Australia finished at 164/6 in their 20 overs.

India had to win the match to tie the series and Indian openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma gave the right start. Dhawan made 41 (22) with 6 fours and 2 sixes while Sharma made 22 (16) including a four and 2 sixes.

KL Rahul looked good for his 14. Pant couldn’t get off the mark. At the end it was all upto the chase master Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik to cross the finish line. Kohli made 61* (41). He smashed 4 fours and 2 sixes.He completed his 19th half century, the most by any player in the world.

 

Karthik made 22* (18) and India chased down the total with 6 wickets and 2 balls remaining and level the 3 match T20 series 1-1. 

Krunal Pandya received the Player of the match and Shikhar Dhawan the Player of the series award.