Australia celebrates the wicket of KL Rahul during the first T20 International on Wednesday. (Source: AP)India’s tour to Australia began on a sour note after the men in blue lost the first T20I by a margin of four runs on Wednesday at the Gabba. Chasing a revised target of 174 from 17 overs (after rain interrupted play), the Indians were always playing catch-up after the early dismissal of Rohit Sharma. However, fellow opener Shikhar Dhawan smashed a sublime 76 off 42 balls in the run chase before Dinesh Karthik came up with a pulsating 30 off 13 balls towards the end but India still finished agonisingly short on 169/7. Marcus Stoinis conceded just 8 runs in the final over as Australia won the match to go 1-0 up in the three-match T20I series. It was a morale-boosting win for Australia, who have endured a dismal run of late in limited overs cricket. The second match of the three-match series will be played in Melbourne on Friday.
Such a closely fought game, too bad it dint go our way. This is going to be a cracking series. #AusvsInd
— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) 21 November 2018
Earlier, India captain Virat Kohli won the toss and opted to field first. But sloppy fielding and erratic bowling towards the end allowed Australia to score freely. Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stioinis took the attack to the Indian bowlers and put on 78 runs off 37 balls. Krunal Pandya had a forgettable day with both bat and ball. He went for 55 runs in his four overs before rain intervened.
FOLLOW: India vs Australia 1st T20 highlights
Chasing a revised target of 174, Dhawan got India off to a quick start, putting on 35 off 25 balls for the opening stand with Rohit Sharma (7). The latter was caught at long on off Jason Behrendorff (1-43) in a bid to accelerate his strike-rate. In keeping with the strategy used during the T20I series in England, KL Rahul (13) came out to bat at number three.
Dhawan and Rahul put on 46 runs for the second wicket. But the introduction of Adam Zampa (2-22) changed the complexion of the match as he got the wickets of KL Rahul and Virat Kohli (4). With the asking rate climbing up, Dhawan tried to up the ante but was caught out. Rishabh Pant (20 off 15 balls) and Dinesh Karthik then got together to take India closer to the target.
A really cracker of a game to begin what promises to be a really good series. Wonderful innings from Shikhar and useful contributions from DK and Pant but in the end Stoinis handled his nerves well. Good game nonetheless #AusvInd
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) 21 November 2018
The duo put on 51 off 24 balls, toying around with the Australian bowling. But Pant threw his wicket away with a sloppy shot. With 13 needed off 6 balls, Krunal Pandya (2) and Karthik holed out off consecutive deliveries off Marcus Stoinis (2-27) as Australia won the match.
