Invited to bat first, India were struggling at 115/6 with just 3 overs left in the innings when Ravindra Jadeja came to his team’s rescue. Even though struggling with his hamstrings, he scored 23 off penultimate over bowled by Hazlewood. In the final over he got stuck on head trying to pull Starc, but got India to a fighting total of 161 with his 23-ball 44. It seemed India would be a bowler short while defending as Jadeja was unfit but India opted for a concussion substitute. The decision paid off as Jadeja’s replacement Chahal was the wrecker-in-chief of Australian innings claiming 3/25. It included the prized scalps of Finch and Smith. With assistance from other bowlers as well, India successfully defended their total to gain the upper hand in the series.
Finch choose to bowl
India were off to a sedated start with just six scored off the first two overs. Starc provided the first breakthrough with a peach- an away swinging full delivery that castled a driving Dhawan for a solitary run. Rahul scored a few boundaries like driving Zampa through covers and pulling Abbott for a huge six, to take India to 42 runs in the powerplay. Swepson provided the second jolt when he caught Kohli’s leading edge off his own bowling.
Samson was the next to join Rahul and the duo forged a good partnership of 38 runs. Just when they looked set for a big one, Samson picked the extra cover fielder with his booming drive off Henriques. His 15-ball 23 had a six and a four. Pandey’s stay at crease was short as he was caught trying to cut Zampa for 2 off 8. Rahul at the other end got to his fifty off 37 balls with 5 fours and a six. But he too soon perished unable to clear long on off Henriques.
India expected another good finish from Pandya and Jadeja whilst reeling at 92/5 with six overs to go. Hardik hit a six but holed out to long off later in the over giving Henriques his third victim for the day. He finished his quota of 4 overs with the figures of 3/22. It appeared Australia would have to chase a modest total however Jadeja had some other ideas. With three fours and a six he scored 23 off Hazlewood’s 19th over. Then with two fours off Starc’s last he finished the Indian innings at 161/7 giving Indian bowlers something to bowl at.
India’s defense
Unlike India, Australia were off to a flier with boundaries coming from the bat of both the openers. Australia scored 53 runs in powerplay with Finch being major contributor with 5 4s and a six. Only Sundar was economical, others especially Shami, were quite expensive. India missed two catches in the 7th over of Chahar. Manish dropped Finch while Virat dropped Short off successive deliveries. It was the substitute Chahal who brought first wicket for India. He enticed Finch for a loft but Finch did not get enough bat on it. He was caught superbly by Pandya who ran in from long off and dived forward to complete the catch. Thanks to another brilliant catch at deep midwicket courtesy Samson, Chahal sent Smith packing for 9-ball 12. Natrajan making his debut in T20I provided the next massive wicket when he trapped Maxwell in front of the stumps.
Thereafter Henriques and Short put on a 38-run partnership but it was was too little to make any difference. Natrajan got Short as he holed out to long on for a 38-ball 34. Chahal got his third scalp when Wade holed out to Virat at deep mid wicket. Henriques too soon departed being lbw to Chahar for 30 with a six and a four. The regular wickets ensured that Australia’s chase never gathered momentum and fell short of Indian total by 11 runs.
Chahal, who came in as substitute for Jadeja under extraordinary circumstances, was adjudged Player of the Match for his three crucial wickets. Natrajan too picked up 3 for 30 in his four overs, while economical Sundar conceded just 16 off his 4.