Ind vs Aus: Hardik's heroics go in vain as Green, Wade guide Australia to resounding 4-wicket win in Mohali

Ind vs Aus: Australia sealed a brilliant victory over Team India in the series opener at Mohali with Cameroon Green and Matthew Wade putting on a brilliant show with the bat as Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul's brilliant half-centuries went in vain.

Aayush Kataria

Updated Sep 20, 2022, 22:46 IST

Australia won the first T20I by 4-wickets at Mohali

Photo : AP

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Australia beat India by 4 wickets in Mohali
Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul's half-centuries went in vain
Cameroon Green and Matthew Wade were Australia's stars

India's concerns with defending totals continued as Australia won the first T20I of the series by four-wickets at the IS Bindra, Punjab Cricket Association Stadium (PCA) in Mohali on Tuesday (September 20). Matthew Wade and Cameron Green were the stars of the show for the Aaron Finch-led side as KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya's half-centuries went in vain.

Australian captain Aaron Finch won the toss and chose to bowl first with Tim David making his debut. India made a big call in dropping Rishabh Pant while Jasprit Bumrah was not fit enough to make his comeback. Finch's decision immediately paid dividends as both skipper Rohit Sharma (11) and ex-captain Virat Kohli (2) departed in the powerplay.

However, KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav ensured that the Men in Blue continue to play aggressively and take the attack to Australian bowlers. Rahul shut his critics with a sublime 35-ball half-century and a quick-fire 78 run partnership with Suryakumar Yadav. Both departed shortly after as Rahul made 55 in 35 balls and Suryakumar scored a 25-ball 46.

Hardik Pandya continued from where they left off and produced a show for the ages. The star all-rounder scored 71 runs in just 30 balls and despite Axar Patel and Dinesh Karthik failing to fire, Hardik's sensational effort helped India put a score of 208 on the board.

Australia's chase began in explosive fashion with Cameron Green launching a dramatic assault on the Indian bowling. The Australian make-shift opener made the most of his opportunity in David Warner's absence and scored a brilliant half-century. His knock of 61 in just 30 balls put Australia on pole position to seal a win.

Despite almost all Indian bowlers struggling from the other end, Axar Patel kept India alive in the game with a stunning spell that saw him take three wickets and concede just 17 runs in his four overs. Umesh Yadav brought the crowd on its feet by dismissing both Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell in the same over with the help of the DRS.

The match looked set for a grandstand finish as Matthew Wade punished both Harshal Patel and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The wicket-keeper batsman alongside Tim David helped Australia take 53 from the 17th and 19 overs. Ultimately, the visitor sealed the win with four balls to spare.

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