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Once again, Glenn Maxwell came to Australia’s rescue when they were almost down and out. Batting at no.4, Maxwell kept Australia in the hunt against all odds. With his record-equalling fourth T20I century, Maxwell snatched a win from the jaws of defeat to keep the five-T20I series alive with a five-wicket win in a last-ball thriller at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati on November 28. The ‘Big Show’ redeemed himself after conceding 30 runs in the final over as Australia pulled off their biggest run chase in T20I cricket.
Australia skipper Matthew Wade won the toss and opted to field first. After an expensive first over from Kane Richardson, Jason Behrendorff got the better of Yashasvi Jaiswal off the second ball he bowled. In the next over, Ishan Kishan was dismissed for a five-ball duck by Richardson. From 24/2, Ruturaj Gaikwad played the anchor's role. Suryakumar hit Nathan Ellis for two sixes in the fifth over. After powerplay overs, India were 43/2. At the halfway stage, India were 80/2.
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In the 11th over, Aaron Hardie broke the partnership with the wicket of the skipper. Suryakumar scored 39 runs from 29 balls featuring five fours and a couple of sixes. Gaikwad accelerated after Suryakumar's wicket, He reached his half-century from 32 balls. In the 18th over, Gaikwad hit Hardie for three sixes and a four. Tilak Varma played second fiddle to a free-flowing Gaikwad. In the final over, Maxwell was handed the ball. Gaikwad got to his maiden T20I century with a maximum. He hit two more sixes and fours in the final over as India posted 222/3.
Varma remained unbeaten for 31 off 24 balls on the other end. Gaikwad became the first T20I centurion for India against Australia. Also, it is the highest T20I score by a batter against Australia breaking Brendon McCullum's record. His unbeaten 123 off 57 balls was laced with 13 fours and seven sixes. Maxwell bowled the most expensive over for Australia in T20Is.
Playing his first game in the series, Australia's World Cup final hero, Travis Head picked up where he left off. Head went after Prasidh Krishna and hit him for four fours in the second over. Head and Hardie were going after the bowlers. Arshdeep Singh in his second over broke the partnership. Hardie departed for a 12-ball 16. Avesh Khan in his second over got the wicket of Head who scored 35 runs from 18 balls including eight fours. Australia were 67/2 after powerplay overs despite both openers back in the hut.
After an expensive first over, Ravi Bishnoi got the better of Josh Inglis as he got bowled. Coming out to bat at no.4, Maxwell targetted Krishna and hit him for a couple of fours and sixes. Marcus Stoinis struggled in the middle. At the halfway stage, Australia were 105/3. In the 13th over, Stoinis was caught by Suryakumar off Axar Patel's bowling. He scored 17 runs from 21 balls. Bishnoi in his last over got Tim David's wicket for a golden duck. In the 15th over, Maxwell got to his half-century with a six from 28 balls. Maxwell continued to hit big and kept Australia in the hunt. In the 18th over, Krishna bowled well. Wade was dropped by Suryakumar at extra cover.
Australia needed 43 runs off the last two overs. Patel took a beating from Wade who hit him for two fours and a six. The over ended with four byes. In the final over, the Aussies needed 21 runs. Also, the over-rate penalty meant India could have only four players outside the 30-yard circle. Wade started off with a boundary and took a single. Maxwell followed it up with a six. Then, he hit three consecutive fours to seal the win for Australia. Maxwell remained unbeaten for 104 off 48 balls including eight fours and as many sixes. He equalled Rohit Sharma's record of most centuries in T20I cricket.
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