India vs Australia 5th T20I: Iyer shines, bowlers apply late brakes, more takeaways
India pipped Australia by six runs in a thrilling encounter to close out the five-match series on a high in Bengaluru. With the slender win, India bagged the series by a 4-1 margin.
Shreyas Iyer scored a fifty to power India to a modest 160 runs on a tacky M Chinnaswamy Stadium surface. In reply, the bowlers did well to restrict Australia despite a Ben McDermott half century.
A quick recap of how things unfolded in Bengaluru:
Australia win toss, India with poor start
India scored just 10 runs in the first 15 balls after Australia decided to field. Yashasvi Jaiswal unshackled briefly but was halted in his tracks. Ruturaj Gaikwad followed him soon after into the dugout. India were reduced to 46/3 when Suryakumar Yadav was also sent back.
No Rinku Singh special
After knocks of 22*, 31* and 46 runs throughout the series, Rinku Singh didn’t get going in Bengaluru. Rinku had plenty of overs to bat through but a mistimed sweep off Tanveer Sangha saw him departing for just six runs which put India in serious trouble. As he walked back, India were 55/4 in the 10th over.
Trio of Shreyas, Axar, Jitesh salvage innings
Right after Rinku walked back, Shreyas Iyer let fly to create some much-needed breathing room. He hit a six, a four and another six as India found some momentum.
A promosing partnership between Iyer and Jitesh Sharma was stopped when a mistimed pull saw the latter depart. Axar Patel then stepped up for the home side. Axar hit a 21-ball 31 run knock before falling to a knuckle ball. Iyer, meanwhile, scored a fighting half-century to steer India to 160 runs.
Bishnoi keeps at it
Ravi Bishnoi took his tally in the series to 9 wickets after collecting two at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. This was much needed after Australia took off early in their chase. Travis Head was headed towards a big score before Bishnoi gave the team a breakthrough. Bishnoi castled Head right after being thrashed for a six. As Aussies brought their fifty in the powerplay, Bishnoi collected one more wicket (Aaron Hardie) to keep fighting.
India win climax battle
Ben McDermott and Tim David dealt in sixes and Australia looked to be on track to reduce the deficit in the series and end on a high. The equation read 60 needed off 42 balls and Australia were on the better end of the deal.
India nudged ahead when David top-edged a pull with Axar Patel finishing excellent figures of 1/14. McDermott struck a six off Arshdeep Singh but was sent back in the very same over to bring the contest to an even footing.
India then took complete control of the proceedings with Mukesh Kumar taking two wickets in an over. However, Wade’s surge in the 18th over made it a nervy finish for both teams. As Avesh Khan went for three consecutive boundaries, the equation looked gettable: 15 off 12. It then became 11 off 8. Suddenly, it was Australia’s game to lose.
In the final twist, Arshdeep bowled a stellar final over to see India win. Needing 10 off 6, Wade couldn’t connect with first two deliveries and was dismissed on the third. That effectively ended the chase for Australia and added one more win to India’s column.
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