Sundar’s 49 helps India level series 1-1 in Hobart

Hobart: A late burst from Washington Sundar and Jitesh Sharma, along with key efforts from the entire line-up, helped India secure a five-wicket victory over Australia in the third T20I of a five-match T20 series at Hobart on Sunday evening.

With this victory, the series is now labelled at 1-1, with two matches left. Earlier, India won the toss and offered Australia to bat first. India's pacer Arshdeep Singh shows some heroics in the powerplay, taking 3 wickets by giving just 35 runs, but a 59-run stand between skipper Mitch Marsh (11) and Tim David (74 off 38 balls, with eight fours and five sixes), followed by a 64-run partnership between Marcus Stoinis (64 off 39 balls, with eight fours and two sixes) and Matt Short (26* off 15 balls, with two fours and one six), helped Australia post 186/6 in 20 overs.

How did India start their run chase?

India’s chase of 187 began with a quick start from opener Abhishek Sharma, who smashed Sean Abbott for two fours and a six in the second over. But Nathan Ellis dismissed him once again in the series with a top edge caught by keeper Josh Inglis. He scored 25 off 16 balls, with two fours and two sixes, leaving India at 33/1 in 3.3 overs. Captain Suryakumar Yadav came next and immediately played two sixes in four balls, showing his fine touch. India reached 50 in 4.5 overs, with vice-captain Shubman Gill playing calmly at a run-a-ball pace. In the last over of the powerplay, Gill hit Ellis for a four but was trapped lbw for 15 off 12 balls, continuing his rough T20 form. India ended the powerplay at 64/2, with Surya and Tilak Varma in the middle.

Could India keep the run rate going?

Both batters hit a boundary each to keep the scoring steady. However, Surya mistimed a shot to cover and was caught by Ellis, giving Stoinis his first wicket. He went for 24 off 11 balls with a four and two sixes, and India stood at 76/3 in 7.3 overs. Tilak and Axar Patel then added runs steadily, taking the score to 100 in 9.2 overs and 105/3 after ten. Their 35-run stand ended when Ellis removed Axar for 17 off 12 balls. India was 111/4 in 11.1 overs. Then Washington Sundar arrived and immediately lifted Ellis for a six, later smashing Abbott for a four and two sixes in the 14th over, taking India to 145/4.

Did Australia fight back in the end?

Tilak’s wicket fell soon after, as he scooped a simple catch to Inglis off Bartlett’s bowling for 29 off 26 balls, making it 145/5 in 14.2 overs. India crossed 150 in 14.5 overs. Strong hitting from Jitesh Sharma (22* off 13 balls, with three fours) and Sundar (49* off 23 balls, with three fours and four sixes) sealed the victory. Jitesh hit the winning boundary, finishing the chase with nine balls to spare and five wickets in hand. Ellis (3/36) was Australia’s best bowler, while Bartlett and Stoinis took one wicket each.

How did Australia post a strong total earlier?

Tim David joined Marsh and began attacking right away, helping the team reach 50 in the seventh over. David smashed a half-century off 23 balls with seven fours and three sixes. In the ninth over, Varun Chakaravarthy struck twice in two balls, dismissing Marsh (11) and Owen (0) when the score was 73. David finally fell for 74 off 38 balls with eight fours and five sixes, leaving Australia at 118/5 in the 13th over.

In the final overs, Stoinis (64 off 39 balls, with eight fours and two sixes) and Short (26* off 15 balls, with two fours and one six) lifted the total to 186/6. For India, Arshdeep took 3/35, Varun claimed 2/33, and Shivam Dube picked 1/43.