In the first T20I of the five-T20I series against Australia, the visitors set a mammoth target of 209 in Visakhapatnam. India seemed to get off to an ideal start as Yashasvi Jaiswal hit Marcus Stoinis for a four followed by a six in the first four balls. On the fifth ball, Jaiswal played a pull shot wide of fine leg and wanted a second run but sent Ruturaj Gaikwad when he had reached the middle of the pitch. Gaikwad had no way of making it back to the crease and was no runout. Reacting to the mix-up, Stoinis laughed as a disappointed Jaiswal walked past him.
Jaiswal was too late to make the call as Gaikwad got out for a diamond duck. He became the third Indian batter after Jasprit Bumrah and Amit Mishra to get out in such fashion.
Jaiswal could not make up for the mistake either. In the third over, he hit Matthew Short for a four followed by a maximum. On the next ball, he went for another lofted shot but could not get the elevation and got caught by Steve Smith at mid-off. The opener managed to score 21 runs from eight deliveries.
However, India had the last laugh as they beat Australia in a thrilling encounter. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan's half-centuries followed by Rinku Singh's calm and composed finish helped India pull off their biggest run chase in the format against Australia.
Earlier, Stoinis walked out to bat at no.4. He could not do much in the slog overs and scored seven runs from six balls. With the ball, he failed to pick up a single wicket. He conceded 36 runs from the three overs he bowled.
“Thought we bowled pretty well, just couldn’t nail our yorkers, easier said than done especially on a small ground like this,” Australia skipper Matthew Wade said in the post-match presentation.
The Australian all-rounder will be seen in action again on November 26 at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram.
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