In an evening that lit up the Thiruvananthapuram skies with scintillating half-centuries from the young Indian trio of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan, and Ruturaj Gaikwad, the hosts clinched a commanding 44-run victory over Australia in the second T20 International match. The win, coming hot on the heels of a strong opening performance, has edged India ahead with a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Setting the tone for India’s colossal innings, opener Jaiswal wasted no time in showcasing his flair and finesse, with a spectacular 53 off a mere 25 balls, propelling India towards an imposing total of 235 for four wickets. He found avid support in his partners, Kishan (52 off 32 balls) and Gaikwad (58 off 43 balls), both complimenting the fiery start with significant contributions of their own.
The foundation laid by the batsman was further bolstered by an exceptional bowling performance with leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi (3/32) stifling Australia’s top-order, removing two key players in quick succession. It was an uphill battle for Australia who, despite determined efforts and powerful knocks from Tim David (37 off 22 balls) and Marcus Stoinis (45 off 25 balls), could not surmount the steep run chase, ending their innings at 191 for nine.
Prasidh Krishna, swing the momentum further in India’s favor, bagged three critical wickets contributing to Australia’s crumbling middle order, which lost five wickets for a paltry 16 runs. Australia’s pursuit seemed to be off to a flyer with Matthew Short and Steve Smith accumulating 31 in the first two overs. However, Bishnoi dismantled Short in the third over and Josh Inglis in the fifth, sending shockwaves through the Australian innings.
The onslaught from David and Stoinis briefly rekindled hopes for the Australian side with an 81-run partnership that entertained but ultimately could not avert the inevitable. Bishnoi zapped the lifeline, removing David and Stoinis’s misjudged extravagance to Mukesh cost him his wicket to Axar Patel at the boundary, effectively sealing India’s win.
The Australian bowling, hampered by the slow pitch and thwarted by the youthful exuberance of the Indian batting, failed to hit the mark, with the decision to bowl first backfiring. Jaiswal, especially, seized the opportunity, tearing into Sean Abbot’s offerings with a display of hitting that carved up 24 runs in one over, taking India to 71 in the power play.
The middle stages were no different, as Kishan’s ferocious half-century, complete with a colossal six, and Gaikwad’s assured fifty, set the stage ablaze and laid a platform for a late onslaught. Kishan’s loss of balance did not deter the ensuing carnage as Rinku Singh blazed away to a rapid 31 off nine balls, ensuring India’s final score was a fortress the Australians could not breach. The penultimate over from Abbot suffered severe plundering, conceding 25 runs, as Ellis in the last over, saw 20 runs plundered, with India ending on a high.
The series has certainly turned on its augur, with the young brigade firing all cylinders and setting the stage for what promises to be an engrossing continuation of T20 cricket. The Australian side, while reeling from this defeat, will have to concoct a robust response if they are to challenge India’s advancing lead in the series.
As the excitement builds towards the World Cup 2023, this Indian victory will undoubtedly have sent ripples through the cricketing world, asserting the dynamism and depth of talent available to the Indian cricket camp. With the momentum firmly with India, the tourists face an arduous task in turning the tide against a team that has shown it can sparkle with both bat and ball.