Australia v India Twenty20 cricket LIVE updates: Commentary, live scores, updates
Washington Sundar hit an unbeaten 49 off 23 balls to lead India to a five-wicket victory over Australia in the third Twenty20 in Hobart on Sunday, tying the five-match series at 1-1 with two matches to play.
Tim David earlier struck a superb 38-ball 74 and Marcus Stoinis chipped in with a 64 as Australia posted 186-6 in 20 overs – and it was always going to take a disciplined bowling effort to thwart India’s batsmen.
Nathan Ellis bowled well for 36 but Josh Hazlewood was sorely missed after leaving the squad to prepare for the Ashes following his Man of the Match performance in Friday’s win over Melbourne.
India managed to keep the run rate on top to prepare for an important fourth match on the Gold Coast on Thursday.Credit: Getty Images
Hometown seamer Ellis removed Abhishek Sharma (25) and Axar Patel (17) with bouncers and also trapped fellow opener Shubman Gill ahead on 15 minutes, but India never looked under any pressure in this chase.
Sundar hit the first of his four sixes from the second ball he faced and enjoyed a 35-run stand with Tilak Varma (29) for the fifth wicket before Jitesh Sharma (22 not out) helped India cross the line with a partnership of 34.
India, who have the rare experience of winning the toss and opting to bowl first, made three changes to their team after their defeat in Melbourne on Friday, including the return of Sundar and Arshdeep Singh.
Left-arm seamer Arshdeep made an immediate impact by dismissing Travis Head with the fourth ball of the match and Josh Inglis in the second over, leaving Australia solidly behind.
David quickly put the hosts back on the rise with an astonishing barrage of boundaries to bring up his ninth half-century off 23 balls.
Spinner Varun Chakravarthy hit back for India by dismissing Mitch Marsh and Mitchell Owen but with Stoinis joining the party, David continued to play his shots.
David hit eight fours and five sixes when his luck finally ran out and a boundary catch from Tilak ended the innings and reduced Australia to 118-5.
Stoinis couldn’t quite match David’s brawn but scored 64 for the sixth wicket with Matthew Short (26 not out) and then stood out at long-on in the final over to give away his third wicket to Arshdeep (3-35).
The fourth T20 will take place on the Gold Coast on Thursday.
Reuters
