Rinku Singh’s last-ball, fence-clearing blow has launched India to a nail-biting two-wicket win over Australia in the first Twenty20 international at Visakhapatnam.
Nothing will ever bring back the World Cup but India were able to exact some retribution for that heartbreak four days earlier, with RInku their last-gasp hero in Thursday’s (Friday AEDST) thriller.
After Josh Inglis’s spectacular 110 off 50 deliveries lifted Australia to 3-208, Suriyakumar Yadav bludgeoned 80 to have India comfortably placed before Nathan Ellis’s tight 19th over and three wickets in as many balls – including two run outs – in Sean Abbott’s 20th created a murmur.
In the space of three deliveries, with two runs required, Abbott caught-and-bowled Axar Patel (2) before Ravi Bishnoi and Hardeep Singh were both run out for ducks, sacrificed to get Rinku on strike.
WIth one run needed, Rinku deposited the sixth delivery over the long-on fence, although his spectacular finish wasn’t rewarded on the scoreboard with Abbott getting called for a match-losing no-ball.
India’s chase had started poorly, with Ruturaj Gaikwad run out without facing a ball after a horrible mix-up and opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal (21) bunting Matt Short tamely to Steve Smith at mid-off.
Suryakumar, who had a ragged World Cup campaign with 106 runs at 17.66, was back in his preferred format and, on his international captaincy debut, showed why he is the No.1 ranked T20 batter in the world.
Together with Ishan Kishan (58), who spent most of the World Cup on the bench, he added 112 for the third wicket to put India in control.
“I left the (captaincy) luggage in the dressing room,” said Suryakumar. “I just tried to enjoy my batting, whether I am batting 10 or 40 balls.”
Earlier, Inglis crunched 11 fours and eight sixes, raising his maiden ton off 47 balls to equal the record held by Aaron Finch – set against England at Southampton in 2013 – for the quickest T20 hundred by an Australian.
Josh Inglis plays a shot in Visakhapatnam. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)
“Josh Inglis played a terrific knock for us and got us to a score we thought we could defend,” Australia captain Matthew Wade said.
“To see him come in at No.3 and play shots from ball one, he was the class batter on the night. But India came out hard and showed their class.”
Inglis became just the fifth Australian – after Finch, Glenn Maxwell, Shane Watson and David Warner – to score a T20 international hundred.
Inglis wasn’t required to bat in Sunday’s upset World Cup final triumph and scored only 159 runs at 19.87 for the tournament, but he showcased his talents – and Australia’s depth – when given a chance at No.3.
Inglis and Smith (52) combined for a 130-run liaison – the highest second-wicket partnership by any Australian pair in T20Is – to put India’s unrecognisable, second-string attack under the pump.
Smith, looking to re-establish his white-ball credentials after a lean World Cup camptain, found the boundary eight times in his 41-ball knock before he was run out.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Smith hardly fired considering what an easy batting wicket it was. His scoring rate was only 126. But he was run out, so perhaps some leeway.
NQR
Roar Rookie
Don’t be pathetic with labels. Inglis might not have been on the winning team but his performance far exceeded Suryakumar contribution in total and SR. If Suryakumar had have finished the chase unbeaten then yes he could have been adjudged the best player. He however didn’t and relied on his teammates which combined better than a couple of Inglis’s teammates. The best performance was Inglis. The same as with Sharma and Rahul’s selection in the world 11 before Ravindra was partisan selections.
Ashan D
Roar Pro
Yeah he scored 7 off 6 !
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
If Smith wants to get into IPL, he's better off playing no T20 cricket. Then franchises won't be able to see what he CAN'T DO. Reputation is his most compelling credential.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
No one is.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Then you give MoM to Smith or Stoinis. They were the major contributors to India's victory.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Yet, he is probably our best against spin. He reads the ball from the hand so we'll and picks up the changes of pace. That's why his keeping to spin is so good too. He is good up there in T20 but I'd keep him at #7 in other formats.
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Says someone who thinks Green should be playing in a nothing T20 tournament instead of prepping for a Test series… Dear oh dear…
matth
Roar Guru
When you are playing on a 10 per over wicket, most get smacked around
matth
Roar Guru
And McDonald
Ed Flanders
Roar Rookie
Yeah, I'm not engaging with a blatant xenophobe
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
You couldn’t see how we might have found those runs? And the boundaries were short and the outfield lightning fast. In the end, India had a complete brain explosion to make it close - they were coasting from 16/17 over mark
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
Agree. I think the Indians are seeing this as an audition for the IPL and subsequent T20 World Cup. It is the time to experiment.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
He played well when the field was up and they gave him some width. He really struggled to improvise or hit it long when it was needed. Inglis’ innings was something out of the box - deserved a win
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
He has the best album titles hands down.
NQR
Roar Rookie
Is that like India getting 6 and Australia 2 in the WC 11 team and finishing a poor 2nd? Maybe Stoinis’s contribution had the biggest influence on the result.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Jimmy Buffett, A career in rock.
Lawrence
Roar Rookie
Inglis is more suited in the top order against the new ball.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
If Smith wants to part of the IPL again especially on a decent salary he needs to score quicker. Faf du Plessis for example was much thinner and he used to strike around 120-130 in the IPL and get paid poorly while Steve Smith when he was younget was 130-140 and better paid. Now the roles and money have reversed. Faf has a lot more muscle and got his best record in the IPL despite his age. Stoinis I didnt watch the game so dont now if he went for the runs or not. He is generally poor coming in then hits big when he is at the crease. David should have gone first. It the captains fault for making Stoinis bowl, he should be 6 th to 7th bowler at best.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Sounds like a cup of herbal tea