Third Twenty20 International between Australia and India: Who Said What?

On Tuesday, November 28, at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, Australia staged a comeback against India in the Twenty20 International series by defeating the hosts by five wickets in the third match. Ruturaj Gaikwad‘s outstanding century helped India record a huge 222/3 after being put in to bat first.

Australia responded by chasing down the target on the final ball of the game, thanks to another brilliant century from Glenn Maxwell. Australia presently trail the five-match series 1-2 as a result of their victory; the fourth Twenty20 International (T20I) match is set for December 1 in Raipur.

Let’s examine the main talking topics for the game:

1. The first T20I century for Ruturaj Gaikwad

Early in the innings, the opening batsman lost his partner Yashasvi Jaiswal. To steady the innings, he and Suryakumar Yadav shared a stand of 57 runs. Interestingly, the 26-year-old changed up his game fast after Suryakumar was dismissed when batting on 21(21). Later, he played an incredible innings of 123* (57), hitting seven sixes and thirteen fours to become the first Indian batsman to make a century in a Twenty20 international against Australia.

2. Glenn Maxwell excels in the run chase once more

As wickets kept tumbling at the other end, the daring Maxwell strode to the crease with the obvious intention of taking on the Indian bowlers. He scored an incredible 104* off 48 balls, hitting eight fours and just as many sixes in the process. Notably, he and Aaron Finch and Josh Inglis shared the fastest century by an Australian batsman (47 balls).

3. Jason Behrendorff’s frugal performance

Behrendorff was the most impressive player with the ball in a contest when 220 was breached in both innings, bowling a fantastic spell of 1/12 in four overs. In addition to bowling a maiden over, the left-arm seamer gave up runs at a rate of three per over.

Winning Captain, Matthew Wade, Australia said:

You don’t get much better than that. It was hard work. Injury to Kane (Richardson) threw a spanner in the works and had to bowl Maxi in the last over. He played brilliantly, got a 100 in his 100th T20I. Wouldn’t say I was confident, I was a bit grumpy going in at the halfway mark. Thought we were in the game at 190 after the 19th over but the last over went for 30.

Richardson hurt himself so I was one over short. All in good fun in the end, Maxi probably wouldn’t have got a 100 if he didn’t toss up 30 in that over. The boys are in good spirits, hopefully we can pinch another one in the next game and take it down to the last game.

Losing Captain, Suryakumar Yadav, India said:

The plan was to get Maxi out as quickly as possible. To defend 220 with so much dew, have to give something to the bowlers. Australia were always in the game. Told the boys we’ll try and get him (Maxwell) out quickly but it didn’t happen, it was insane. Axar is an experienced bowler, thought there’s always a chance for an experienced bowler even if it’s a spinner when there’s dew. Very proud of my boys.

Player of the Match, Glenn Maxwell (104* off 48), Australia said:

It all went pretty quickly. It was hard work for them to bowl yorkers with so much dew. We didn’t really have a number in mind. Knew we would be in the game if we could take it down to the final over. Wade had to be out there to cash in with Axar having one over left towards the end. Wade was brilliant out there, the way he went helped me as well.