Bangalore: Glenn Maxwell (113 n o, 55b, 7×4, 9×6) fired Australia to their maiden T20I series win over India with a sensational century, overshadowing India skipper Virat Kohli’s (72 n o, 38b, 2×4, 6×6) special effort in the second and final match here, Wednesday.
Maxwell went on a rampage on way to his third century in the shortest format of the game. He took the game away from India, who should have defended 190/4 after Kohli and MS Dhoni (40, 23b, 3×4, 3×6) shared a 100-run stand for the fourth wicket to take the hosts to a competitive total. In the end, Australia cantered to a famous seven-wicket win with Maxwell fittingly finishing the game with a six and four.
Prior to the game, Australia had never beaten India in a T20I series, home or away. They had beaten India way back in 2008 at Melbourne but that was a one-off game.
The visitors kept themselves in the chase despite a wobbly start which saw them being reduced to 22/2 in four overs. Opener D’Arcy Short () and Maxwell shared a 73-run stand off 43 balls to keep the game on even knell before the former fell in the 12th over. India had to defend with only five bowling options which required all-rounder Vijay Shankar (2/38) to complete his quote of four overs.
Earlier, skipper Kohli and Dhoni delighted the Chinnaswamy crowd with some lusty blows. Kohli led from the front in a must-win tie while Dhoni played the supporting role well.
Opener KL Rahul (47, 26b, 3×4, 4×6) was amongst runs again. Considering the pitch wore a greenish look, India brought in pace all-rounder Shankar in place of spinner Mayank Markande while fast bowler Umesh Yadav made way for Siddharth Kaul and Shikhar Dhawan came in for Rohit Sharma.
With a series win at stake, Australia opted to field for the second game in row. Rahul and Dhawan took India to 53 for no loss in six overs. However, wickets in quick succession left India tottering at 74/3 in the 11th over.
However, Kohli and Dhoni enjoy batting together and that came to the fore as they completed a 50-run partnership off 29 balls. Dhoni, who was criticised Sunday for his knock, showed more intent from the word go as he began with a six over midwicket off Short.
Kohli kept himself busy by rotating the strike early in his innings. He went ballistic in the 16th over that leaked 22 runs as he smashed Nathan Coulter-Nile for three sixes in a row before completing his 20th fifty in the shortest format.
Brief scores: India 190/4 (Virat Kohli 72 n o, KL Rahul 47, MS Dhoni 40) lost to Australia 194/3 (Glenn Maxwell 113 n o, D’Arcy Short 40; Vijay Shankar 2/38) by 7 wickets.
