In a swashbuckling display of power-hitting, Glenn Maxwell masterminded a stunning chase as Australia overhauled India’s daunting target of 223 in the third T20I at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium. The explosive batsman replicated his World Cup heroics against Afghanistan, hammering an unbeaten 104 off 48 balls in his 100th T20I appearance to hand Australia a five-wicket triumph on Tuesday.
The stage was set by Travis Head and Aaron Hardie, with Head laying down a marker in Ravi Bishnoi’s over after playing the initial dozen deliveries. Together, they propped up Australia’s total to 46 in the first four overs before Arshdeep Singh’s in-swinging delivery claimed Hardie’s wicket. Head’s quickfire 35 ended at the hands of Avesh Khan, who took over bowling duties from Mukesh Kumar.
Adding to India’s momentum, Bishnoi’s googly sent Josh Inglis packing without causing much damage. At this juncture, the entrance of Maxwell signaled a shift in the tide as he bludgeoned Prasidh Krishna, keeping Australia in the hunt.
Despite Bishnoi’s continued success, removing Tim David for a golden duck, Maxwell was unrelenting, unleashing an onslaught reminiscent of his performance in the World Cup. His power-hitting was in full flow, as he swatted consecutive sixes in Arshdeep’s spell, heralding the beginning of the end for India. A dropped catch by Suryakumar Yadav off Matthew Wade only added to the mounting pressure.
The denouement came in the last two overs, with 45 runs hemorrhaging from the combined efforts of Prasidh and Axar Patel. Needing 21 from the final six balls, Maxwell’s relentless attack left Prasidh and India without an answer, securing a five-wicket victory for the visitors.
While Australia’s victory march was spectacular, the highlight for the Indian camp was Ruturaj Gaikwad’s sublime century. Gaikwad, poised to be the next sensation in Indian cricket, remained unbeaten at 123 from 57 balls, a knock that escalated in the second half of India’s innings, propelling the team to 222/3.
Earlier, the Indian innings got off to a shaky start with Jason Behrendorff delivering a potent spell, dismissing opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for six. After losing Suryakumar Yadav, Gaikwad took charge, accelerating the pace and almost single-handedly setting an imposing target for Australia.
This match was a testament to the high-octane action that T20 cricket promises, where fortunes can swing dramatically within overs, and a single performance can outshine the collective endeavor of a team. Maxwell’s blistering century ensured that his 100th cap would be celebrated with a win, while Gaikwad emerged as a beacon of hope for the future of Indian batting.
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In this rollercoaster of a match, Australia’s tour of India took a dramatic turn, and the performances laid out promise an enthralling cricket encounter in the games to come. Whether on the field or following from afar, the serenade of the willow against leather continues to captivate audiences worldwide.