Three times when India chased down the target off the last ball in T20Is
T20I cricket has brought more dimensions to the game and has improved the overall experience of viewers in the form of exciting close matches. The Indian team also has been part of many close games when the result was decided on the last ball. In their T20I history so far, India have won three matches on the last ball while chasing. In this article, we will be discussing those three games.
3rd T20I, India vs Australia, 2016
This was the last of the three-match T20I series, and India had already won the series with victory in the first two games. In this game, Australia posted a good total of 197/5 in 20 overs with the help of a magnificent century from captain Shane Watson. The opener batsman hit 124 runs off 71 balls including 10 fours and 6 sixes.
Chasing this target, India were positive in their approach and had scored 147/3 by the end of 15 overs. However, Aussie bowlers pulled back strongly and India needed 17 runs in the last over to win. Yuvraj Singh who was struggling till then hit the first two balls of the 20th over for a four and six to bring back the team in the game. On the last ball, India needed 2 runs and Suresh Raina hit a four over point to complete a thrilling chase.
Nidahas Trophy Final, 2018
This match is probably one of the most memorable T20Is for Indian fans. The Indian team was playing against Bangladesh in the Nidahas Trophy final and they needed to chase 167 runs to win the trophy. The hopes of an Indian win diminished with 34 runs required off the last 12 balls. However, Dinesh Karthik completely turned the game with incredible performance.
The wicketkeeper-batsman hit the first three balls of his innings for a six, four and a six. He scored 22 runs in the 19th over, and now 12 more runs were required off 6 balls. On the very final ball of the chase, 5 runs were required and Karthik smacked a six over extra covers to script a nail-biting finish.
3rd T20I, India vs West Indies, 2018
It was the third T20I match for West Indies on their tour to India. They had lost the series already, losing the first two matches. In the third game, the visitors put up a total of 181/3 in 20 overs. Nicholas Pooran played a blistering knock of 53 runs off only 25 balls for them, including 4 sixes and 4 fours.
Chasing this target, India lost their first 2 wickets for 45 runs losing Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul early. However, Shikhar Dhawan and Rishabh Pant shared a century partnership to give the platform for a victory. Pant fell after scoring 58 runs off 38 balls with the help of 5 fours and 3 sixes. In the last over, just 5 runs were required for a win but Fabian Allen gave only 4 runs off the first 5 balls and also took the important wicket of Shikhar Dhawan on the second last ball of the over.
On the last ball, India needed 1 run and Manish Pandey was successful in taking a single to help the team win. Shikhar Dhawan was adjudged player of the match for his 92-run knock.
