In a high-octane clash that had fans at the edge of their seats, Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell produced an extraordinary performance, leveling the record of India’s Rohit Sharma as he smashed an unbeaten century off just 47 balls. This masterclass not only kept Australia’s hopes alive in the T20I series but also saw them securing a hard-fought victory against India in the third T20I at Guwahati on Tuesday.
Maxwell’s blistering hundred not only equaled Sharma’s record for the most centuries in men’s T20Is – each now having four hundreds to their name in the format – but also matched the score of his Australian teammates Aaron Finch and Josh Inglis for the fastest ton by an Australian in men’s T20Is.
The setting of the match was electric, with the stakes incredibly high for the Australian team. Maxwell walked to the pitch during the powerplay’s ultimate over, following an excellent start provided by opener Travis Head. The atmosphere intensified when Marcus Stoinis found himself struggling during the middle overs, increasing the pressure on Maxwell to conjure a magical innings, reminiscent of his World Cup brilliance against Afghanistan.
Prevailing against expectations and pressure, Maxwell, who had crafted the quickest Cricket World Cup hundred only a month prior, was already at 42 off 22 balls by the time Stoinis headed back to the pavilion, leaving Australia with a challenging 95 runs needed off the remaining seven overs.
Maxwell’s response was nothing short of spectacular, hitting back-to-back sixes in Arshdeep Singh’s over, which became the fuel for the Australian surge in the death overs. Unfortunately for India, Suryakumar Yadav dropped a crucial catch from Aussie skipper Matthew Wade, an opportunity that could have turned the tide for the hosts. Instead, it proved costly as Australia capitalized on the mishap significantly.
The climax reached its peak in the final two overs of the game, as Indian bowlers Prasidh Krishna and Axar Patel conceded a hefty 45 runs, a sequence that included an agile assault from Maxwell.
Krishna was tasked with defending 21 runs in the deciding over but was rendered helpless against Maxwell’s ferocious attack. The all-rounder’s swift and precise striking led the team to clinch victory by five wickets, a result that left the Indian team and fans in disbelief while the Australians celebrated keeping the series alive and competitive.
As the cricketing world lauded Maxwell’s sensational innings, discussions and comparisons with Rohit Sharma’s achievements lit up social media and sports news outlets, highlighting the competitive spirit and sheer talent prevalent in international cricket today.
The series has so far been a roller-coaster, providing breathtaking moments of cricketing excellence and drama. As fans eagerly anticipate the next encounters, the latest updates on the India vs Australia rivalry can be tracked across various platforms, with enthusiasts encouraged to follow the action and stay informed about schedules and insight through various sports media and apps.
This power-packed victory serves as a testament to the unpredictable nature of the sport and the capabilities of match-winners like Glenn Maxwell, who can turn the game on its head with their sheer prowess and determination. As the series continues, all eyes will be on both teams to see who asserts dominance and claims victory in what has become a gripping showdown of cricketing titans.