India have clinched the three-match T20 series after defeating the Aussies by 27 runs in the second T20 at the MCG on Friday, having already won the first match by 37 runs in Adelaide. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma played a big hand with the bat, while the bowlers came back strongly in the later stages of the second innings to help defeat Australia.
Australia, who were set a target of 185 runs to win, started their innings brilliantly. Openers Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh were in full control of the game, scoring at a healthy rate. Even after the dismissal of Marsh for 23 runs, Australia were set for a win as the pair had already added 94 runs for the first wicket.
However, Australia began to lose their way as their wickets fell like ninepins. The Aussie batting line-up began to crumble under pressure. They were soon tottering for 124 for 5 wickets with Finch, their top scorer with 74 runs, back in the hut. Such wickets at regular intervals brought India close to a series win.
With Australia requiring 48 runs from 18 balls, India were in cruise control and the Australian lower order, despite their efforts, fell short by 27 runs. Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah picked up two wickets each.
Earlier, Australia, who won the toss, asked the Men in Blue to bat first, and their bowlers started off pretty well in the first couple of overs, troubling the India openers. However, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit gradually started to play their shots to score some wonderful boundaries all around the park.
With the Indian openers on song, the visitors got off to a brilliant start and looked set for a mammoth total. India lost their first wicket with 97 runs on the board, with Dhawan dismissed in the 11th over after scoring a 32-ball 42, which included two sixes and three fours.
On the other hand, Rohit, who was struggling to middle the ball in the initial overs, did not take much time to regain his batting touch and start striking the ball clean, making things tough for the Australia bowlers. Kohli also joined the act, coming down the track and taking on the Aussie bowlers with full aggression.
During the middle overs, Rohit and Kohli did not give the Australian bowlers any chance to settle down. They were being thrashed to all corners of the ground as the duo looked unstoppable, but Rohit was unlucky to be run out for 60 runs when he was looking set to consolidate the score. His innings comprised five fours and two sixes.
Dhoni, who walked in at number four, also did his bit with the bat, scoring 14 runs from eight balls. However, it was Kohli who finished on 58 not out that helped India reach a total of 184 runs.
Dhoni and his men, who have clinched the T20 series, will be eager for a whitewash when India face Australia for the final T20 on Sunday at the SCG.
India vs Australia 2nd T20 highlights
First innings (India batting)
Click here for highlights from 1-6 overs.
Click here for highlights from 6-10 overs.
Click here for highlights from 11-15 overs.
Click here for highlights from 16-20 overs.
Second innings (Australia batting)
Click here for highlights from 1-6 overs.
Click here for highlights from 6-10 overs.
Click here for highlights from 11-15 overs.
Click here for highlights from 16-20 overs.
