Australia had the advantage at the innings break in Bengaluru on Sunday, having restricted the Indian batting lineup. Despite Australia comfortably holding a position of 102/3 in the 13th over, the Indian bowlers orchestrated a turnaround. The match took a dramatic turn in the 17th over, delivered by seamer Mukesh Kumar (3/32), who secured two crucial wickets. As a result, Australia fell short, reaching 154/8 and losing the match by six runs. India clinched the series 4-1.
On Sunday, India played the fifth and final T20I against Australia, having already won the series. How the Indian bowlers defended a modest total to make it 4-1 bodes well for India as they progress on the path to next year’s T20 World Cup.
Shreyas Iyer’s half-century (53 off 37 balls), along with valuable late contributions from Jitesh Sharma (24 off 16) and Axar Patel (31 off 21), propelled India to a total of 160/8. Australia skipper Matthew Wade had opted to field first.
At the innings break, Australia held the advantage by limiting the Indian batting lineup. However, the Indian bowlers reversed the situation when Australia was comfortably positioned at 102/3 in the 13th over. Seamer Mukesh Kumar (3/32) played a pivotal role by taking two crucial wickets in the 17th over, altering the course of the match. As a result, Australia fell short, reaching 154/8 and losing the match by six runs.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav expressed in a video posted by the BCCI on the microblogging website ‘X,’ “While many believe T20 cricket heavily favors batsmen, it’s important to note that batsmen may win you matches, but bowlers are the ones who secure series victories.”
India secured the first and second T20Is with wins by two wickets and 44 runs, respectively. Australia managed to stay in the competition with a five-wicket victory in Guwahati. However, India clinched the series by registering a 20-run win in the fourth T20I and further solidified their dominance with a 4-1 victory in Bengaluru on Sunday.
“It feels good to win the series. Being the captain adds to the joy, and there’s a new dimension in life,” said Surya with a smile.
Indian spinners Axar Patel (1/14) and Ravi Bishnoi (2/29) continued to play a vital role in limiting the opposition. The game hung in the balance as Australia required 10 runs to win in the final over, bowled by Arshdeep Singh (2/40).
