Published: Jan 26, 2016, 05:33 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 26, 2016, 05:51 PM (IST)
Australia were off to a cruising start in their chase of 189 in the 1st Twenty20 International (T20I) of the three-match series at Adelaide with both openers David Warner and Aaron Finch playing explosive shots upfront to some rather mediocre bowling. However, Jasprit Bumrah got the better of Warner for a 9-ball 17. Bumrah bowled very well and his unusual action continued to trouble the batsmen. It was the spinners however who made the biggest impact for India when the ball started to grip and turn. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: India vs Australia 2015-16, 1st T20I at Adelaide
India were under the pump with Australia having cruised to over 80 runs in the first eight overs with Finch and Steven Smith looking ominous, but that’s when it began to change. Jadeja induced a false shot from Smith when the batsman looked to turn a spin ball to leg but got a big leading edge for a simple catch to Virat Kohli at extra cover. FULL UPDATES: India vs Australia 2015-16, 1st T20I at Adelaide
That dismissal triggered a flurry of dismissals. Ashwin had been taken apart for 17 runs in the second over of the innings but dismissed the big fish Finch for 44. Jadeja then had Travis Head dismissed leg before in his next over. The ball was gripping and turning and the batsmen looked clueless as India grew in dominance. Ashwin got Watson caught in the next over and wheels came of Australia’s chase.
The pressure bore down on the batsmen and Chris Lynn tried to take on Hardik Pandya but played a furious shot straight to cover where he found the safe hands of Yuvraj Singh. Pandya then also got rid of Matthew Wade for a measly five runs. By this point Australia needed over 15 runs an over and the task looked very improbable for the home team.
James Faulkner was the only man capable of pulling off a miracle from there and he gave a glimpse of his finishing abilities with a massive six of Bumrah in the 18th over. But Bumrah replied in kind the next ball by delivering a yorker which cleaned up Faulkner. From here, the match was a mere formality.
Kane Richardson had his timber disturbed in attempt to play a big heave off Ashish Nehra. The final wicket to fall was that of Cameron Boyce for just three runs off six balls with Bumrah fittingly taking the last wicket. Australia were bowled out 37 runs short of India’s total.
Earlier, India posted an imposing total of 188 for 3 from their stipulated 20 overs largely because of a fine knock from Virat Kohli. He scored an unbeaten 90 of just 55 deliveries even though he came out to bat at a slightly tricky position. His effort ensured India did not capitulate after the openers were removed by Shane Watson in the fifth over. Watson was the pick of the bowlers conceding just 24 runs from his four overs along with his two scalps. The Australian bowlers just lacked their radar. Shaun Tait bowled an appalling number of scoring deliveries.
This match is demonstrative of the beast India becomes when the ball starts to grip and turn. This match will give them a lot of confidence going forward in the series. Jadeja and Ashwin were both phenomenal in the middle overs while Bumrah continued to trouble batsmen with his whippy, unusually stiff action.
Brief scores:
India 188 for 3 in 20 overs (Virat Kohli 90*, Suresh Raina 41; Shane Watson 2 for 24) beat Australia 151 in 19.3 overs (Aaron Finch 44; Jasprit Bumrah 3 for 23) by 37 runs.
(Rishad D’Souza, a reporter with CricketCountry, gave up hopes of playing Test cricket after a poor gully-cricket career. He now reports on the sport. You can follow @RDcric on Twitter)
