HYDERABAD — Virat Kohli’s scintillating strokeplay found its match in maverick Suryakumar Yadav’s batting pyrotechnics as the duo fashioned India’s series- clinching six-wicket win over Australia in the third and final T20 International here on Sunday.
Kohli (63 off 48 balls) and Suryakumar (69 off 36 balls) shared a 104-run partnership to lay the platform for the Indian victory. India won the three-match series 2-1.
Cameron Green (52) scored upfront while Tim David (54) provided the final flourish as Australia posted 186 for six after being invited to bat.
With the pitch offering grip and turn, Axar Patel(3/33) picked three wickets, while also executing a sensational run out. Yuzvendra Chahal (1/22) was also in his element, bowling an economical spell.
Chasing 187, India didn’t have the best of starts as openers KL Rahul (1) and Rohit Sharma (17) were out inside the first four overs.
But Kohli and Suryakumar batted with authority, hitting boundaries and sixes at regular intervals to keep the required run rate in check as Australian bowlers struggled to find answers.
While Suryakumar orchestrated the carnage, Kohli played the second fiddle. Australia fashioned a comeback, ending Suryakumar’s outstanding innings with India needing 53 off the last six overs.
Kohli, however, continued to go about his business and brought his first fifty of the series in 36 balls.
Hardik (25 not out) and Kohli slammed a couple of sixes but the latter was out leaving India in need of five runs from four balls. Earlier, Green was on the offensive from the start.
With Australia going over 13 runs per over, Axar provided the home side with the first breakthrough as he bowled a slower one, forcing Aaron Finch (7) to mistime the shot with Hardik collecting the ball at mid-on.
Green brought his 50 in 19 balls in the fifth over, his innings studded with seven fours and three sixes. But the opener was soon sent packing by Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/39).
Australia plundered 66 runs for the loss off two wickets from the Powerplay.
But Glenn Maxwell’s (6) woeful run continued as Axar executed a brilliant run out with a direct hit from the boundary.
There was some doubt whether it was a run-out as wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik’s glove had knocked out one bail but in the end the decision went in India’s favour.
Just before the halfway mark Karthik stumped Smith (8) who was deceived by Chahal’s wrong ‘un as the Australian innings seemed to fall apart.
But Josh Inglis (24) and David steadied the Australian innings as the visitors made a comeback.
Brief scores: Australia 186/7 in 20 overs (Cameron Green 52, Tim David 54, Daniel Sams 28 not out Josh Inglis 24; Axar Patel 3/33) lost to India 187/4 in 19.5 overs (Virat Kohli 63, Suryakumar Yadav 69, Hardik Pandya 25 not out; Daniel Sams 2/33) by six wickets. — (PTI)