Team India prevailed in yet another high-scoring contest in the 2nd T20I at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvanthapuram as they beat Australia by 44 runs. Yashasvi Jasiwal and Rinku Singh set the tone for the home side's massive total of 235 in 20 overs as the tourists struggled to overhaul it despite their best efforts.
With Australian skipper Matthew Wade anticipating dew to arrive in the evening, he chose to field first. However, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal pounced on the Aussie bowlers in the powerplay to bring a 24-ball half-century. After the left-hander departed for a 25-ball 53, India's boundaries slightly dried up.
Keeper-batter Ishan Kishan pressed the accelerator in the 12th over of the innings, while a patient Ruturaj Gaikwad also joined the party. Kishan also fell almost immediately after his half-century, but yet again Rinku Singh proved to be the difference despite Gaikwad's top-scoring with 58. The 19th over of the innings proved to be a game-changing one as Rinku carted Sean Abbott for 25 runs. The left-hander finished with 31 off 9 deliveries to set Australia a record total to chase down.
Australia start quickly but lose 3 powerplay wickets:
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Steve Smith and Matthew Short had raced to over 30 in 2 overs with a flurry of boundaries, but spin, followed by pace pegged them back. After losing 3 in the powerplay, the visitors slipped to 58-4 in only 7.2 overs. However, Tim David and Marcus Stoinis brought Australia back into the contest, giving them a sniff at chasing the target down with an 81-run stand.
The hosts slammed the door shut in the 14th and 15th over by sending back David and Stoinis, respectively. Captain Wade smashed 4 sixes in his unbeaten 23-ball 42 to reduce the margin of defeat, but that was as much Australia could salvage.
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