AUS vs IND: 1st T20I Review – India take the early lead with all-round brilliance

India defeated Australia in the first of the three-match T20I series by 11 runs. A lot happened in the game with many questioning the move of Ravindra Jadeja being replaced by Yuzvendra Chahal as concussion substitute. But eventually, it was decided by match referee David Boon, who was following stated protocols related to concussion issues.

Coming back to the match, Australia opted to field and bowled well upfront. Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli got out early. However, KL Rahul managed to score a half-century. He scored 51 runs but India kept losing wickets at the other end. They lost their way in the third quarter of the innings and were left reeling at 92/5 and then 114/6.

Ravindra Jadeja, however, played an impactful innings for the second time in a row. He scored 44* off 23 balls to take the team to a competitive total of 161 runs for the loss of seven wickets.

Australia started well in the chase. But India had Chahal with the ball as Jadeja suffered from a concussion. However, Finch and Short batted well to get Australia off to a flyer adding 53 off six overs. Yuzvendra Chahal was introduced into the attack then and things started to change. Wickets kept falling at regular intervals as the leggie and the debutant T Natarajan picked three scalps each to put India ahead in the game.

Despite a great start to the innings, Australia fell short by 11 runs to concede the first of the three-match T20I series.

Turning Points 

Ravindra Jadeja’s knock:

Ravindra Jadeja came out to bat with India struggling at 92/5 and he soon lost Hardik Pandya with three overs to go. This is when he took control of the innings superbly and slammed an unbeaten 44 off 23 balls. He smacked five fours and a six and though Jadeja didn’t play any further role in the game, his knock turned the game on its head.

Chahal’s spell:

Yuzvendra Chahal came in to bowl under controversial circumstances after Jadeja was ruled out of the game. And the leggie turned out to be a blessing for India. He bowled when Australia were cruising and by the time his spell ended, the hosts needed 40 off last three overs with no recognised batting pair in the middle. Chahal picked crucial wickets of Aaron Finch, Steve Smith and Matthew Wade to eventually become the first concussion substitute ever to win the Man of the Match.

Personal Milestones/Records

KL Rahul completed 1000 T20 runs in the calendar year of 2020.

This is India’s 9th consecutive win in T20Is, their longest streak ever.

Way Ahead

The two teams will face each other again on Sunday in Sydney and it will be a must-win game for Australia while India will be looking to win the series in the second game itself.