Sports: Surya’s Leadership Shines, Rinku Singh’s Heroics Seal Last-Ball Thriller as India Triumphs Over Australia

Vishakapatnam, 23rd November 2023: The T20 International series between India and Australia commenced today at the Dr Y.S. Rajashekar Reddy ACA-VDCA International Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. Notably, this series follows closely, merely four days after the ICC ODI Cricket World Cup 2023 final held between India and Australia, where Australia emerged victorious, securing their 6th title. In an extraordinary turn of events, India successfully chased down a target of 209 runs in the T20 match, marking their highest successful run chase in T20 internationals. The thrilling pursuit resulted in India winning the match by 2 wickets with no balls left. Suryakumar Yadav, serving as the interim captain, was rightfully named the Player of the Match.

Numerous changes were witnessed in both the Indian and Australian squads as they sought to rest key players following an intense cricketing tournament. Acting as the stand-in captain, Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and opted to bowl first. Australian captain Matthew Wade conceded that losing the toss was unfavourable, expressing a preference to bowl first. Notably, Steve Smith, typically batting at either 1 down or 2 down for Australia, opened the innings alongside Matt Short in this match.

Australia initiated proceedings with a steady start, maintaining a decent run rate of 7.50. Leg spinner Ravi Bishnoi, brought into play by Captain Yadav in the 5th over, dismissed Matt Short when he was at 13 in 11 balls. Short, attempting a predetermined big shot, fell victim to Bishnoi’s strategic bowling.

In the powerplay, Australia scored 40 runs, losing 1 wicket with a run rate of 6.66, which is considered relatively low in T20 cricket. However, the momentum shifted as Josh Inglis showcased aggressive batting, reaching his half-century in 29 balls. Australia rapidly reached the 100-run mark by the 12th over. The partnership between Smith, anchoring the innings, and Inglis, adopting an aggressive approach, solidified. Smith reached his half-century in 40 balls but was run out on the next delivery by Prasidh Krishna, scoring 52 in 41 balls.

All-rounder Marcus Stoinis entered the fray after Smith’s dismissal. Inglis continued his explosive innings, securing a century in just 47 balls at a remarkable strike rate of 207. However, aiming to sustain the momentum, Inglis fell on 110 runs in 50 balls, caught by Yashasvi Jaiswal on a delivery by Prasidh Krishna. Tim David joined the fray after Inglis’ dismissal, and Australia maintained their attacking approach, reaching the 200-run mark in the 19th over.

India’s inexperienced side displayed flaws in their approach, with Suryakumar Yadav, an inexperienced captain, facing criticism for questionable decisions in team selection and bowling distribution. As the 20 overs of the Australian batting innings concluded, Australia set a formidable total of 208 in their allotted 20 overs. In the final over, bowled by Mukesh Kumar, only 5 runs were conceded. Marcus Stoinis contributed 7 runs not out in 6 balls, while Tim David made a modest contribution of 19 runs not out in 13 balls. In the Indian bowling department, Ravi Bishnoi and Prasidh Krishna each took 1 wicket.

Chasing a formidable target of 209 runs, India’s opening pair comprised Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal, with Jaiswal adopting an aggressive approach from the start. However, in the very first over, Gaikwad fell victim to a run-out by Nathan Ellis due to a misjudged call by Yashasvi Jaiswal. Gaikwad departed without facing a ball, scoring 0. Following Gaikwad’s dismissal, Ishan Kishan entered the crease. Jaiswal, after a short cameo of 21 runs in 8 balls, was caught by Steve Smith on a Matt Short delivery, bringing interim captain Suryakumar Yadav to the pitch.

Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan stabilized the Indian innings, reaching the 50-run mark in the 5th over. Despite early setbacks, India, fueled by Suryakumar Yadav’s aggressive gameplay, scored 63 in the powerplay at a run rate of 10.5. With attacking intent from Kishan and Yadav, India reached the 100-run mark in the 10th over. Ishan Kishan achieved his 5th T20 half-century in 37 balls but was caught by Matt Short on a Tanveer Sangha delivery while attempting an aggressive shot. Kishan scored 58 off 39 balls.

Tilak Verma came in after Kishan’s dismissal, and Suryakumar Yadav reached his half-century in 29 balls with a six. India reached the 150-run mark in the 15th over. Verma, playing an attacking cameo, was caught by Marcus Stoinis on a Tanveer Sangha delivery after scoring 12 off 10 balls. Rinku Singh came in after Verma’s dismissal, and Suryakumar Yadav continued his aggressive approach. Yadav eventually got out after scoring a crucial 80 runs in just 42 balls, caught by Aaron Hardie on a Jason Behrendorff delivery.

Axar Patel entered the fray after Yadav’s dismissal. India needed 7 runs in the last over, and Rinku Singh started with a boundary. The 2nd ball resulted in a bye, but Axar Patel got out on the third ball of the last over, caught and bowled by Sean Abbott. With 2 runs needed off 3 balls, Ravi Bishnoi came in after Patel’s dismissal but got run out for 0 on his first ball by Sean Abbott. Rinku Singh, the last recognized batsman, came to the strike with 2 needed off 2 balls. Singh hit the ball towards deep mid-wicket, attempting the second run, but Arshdeep Singh, who came after Bishnoi’s dismissal, got run out by Steve Smith without facing a ball on the non-striker end. India needed 1 run in 1 ball to win, and Mukesh Kumar came in after Singh’s dismissal. On the last ball, Rinku Singh sealed the match in style with a six, resulting in India winning the match. The ball was a no-ball, and Rinku Singh scored an unbeaten 28 off 14 balls.

In the Australian bowling department, Tanveer Sangha took 2 wickets in his 4 overs, conceding 47 runs. Jason Behrendorff, Matt Short, and Sean Abbott each took 1 wicket. This successful chase of 209 runs marked India’s highest successful run chase in T20 internationals. India won the match by 2 wickets with no balls left, and Suryakumar Yadav, the interim captain, was named the Player of the Match. After losing to Australia in the ICC ODI Cricket World Cup 2023 final, India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, secured victory in this match, taking a 1-0 lead in the 5-match T20I series against Australia.

The next match is scheduled for November 26, 2023, at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.