In a riveting battle of the willow at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, Australia fought back in the T20 International series against India, courtesy of a spectacular ton from Glenn Maxwell, outshining Ruturaj Gaikwad’s stunning maiden international century on Tuesday, November 28.
The pitch, known for favoring the batsmen, lived up to expectations as India, batting first, were put to the test early on. Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and his partner Ishan Kishan departed for single-digit scores, leaving India at a shaky beginning. However, India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, stepped up, maintaining an aggressive approach despite the early losses. Yadav, along with Gaikwad, knitted a crucial 57-run partnership to steer India away from immediate danger.
Yadav’s dismissal for a quickfire 39 from 29 balls was a blow, but it ultimately laid the groundwork for Gaikwad’s heroics. The 26-year-old opener seized the opportunity, showcasing a spectacular array of shots to the delight of the crowd, registering his half-century in the 14th over. Gaikwad did not stop there; he upshifted gears, dispatching the Australian bowlers with sheer dominance. His transition from fifty to a century was both emphatic and rapid, taking a mere 20 additional balls to cross the coveted mark.
The Pune-born batsman particularly targeted Glenn Maxwell in the final over of India’s innings, contributing heavily to the 30-run haul from that over. Gaikwad stood tall and unbeaten at the close of the innings, amassing 123 runs from 57 balls at an incredible strike rate of 215.78, an innings studded with 13 boundaries and 7 towering sixes, pushing India to a formidable total of 222.
In response, Australia’s innings commenced with a bang, as Travis Head adopted an offensive stance from the get-go. Keeping the mounting required run rate within reach, Head’s blitzkrieg amounted to 35 runs off only 18 balls before succumbing to Avesh Khan. The momentum was set for a thrilling chase, even as Head walked back to the pavilion.
The evening, though, was destined to belong to Glenn Maxwell. The dynamic all-rounder ensured the pendulum did not swing too far in India’s favor, with his boundary-scoring prowess on full display. Keeping the scoreboard ticking and the match in balance, Maxwell’s innings was nothing short of majestic. As the tension built up with the match on a knife-edge, Maxwell reached his century in the dramatic final over of the match. His fourth T20I hundred was pivotal in steering Australia to a sensational victory by hitting a boundary to seal the win.
The clash at Guwahati not only lived up to the excitement but also set the stage for an enthralling series conclusion. The performance from both batsmen showcased the epitome of T20 cricket — a blend of technique, aggression, and vigour. While Gaikwad announced his arrival on the international scene with an innings to remember, it was Maxwell’s experience and audacity that ultimately triumphed, highlighting the unpredictable and exhilarating nature of the shortest format of the game.
This match certainly added a thrilling chapter to the cricketing rivalry between India and Australia, and with the series still alive, fans from both nations eagerly anticipate what the remaining fixtures have in store. As the teams regroup and strategize, cricket enthusiasts can only hope for more such electrifying performances that keep the spirit of the game soaring high.
Stay tuned for more updates on this high-voltage cricket series.