India produced an impressive all-round performance to defeat Australia by five wickets in the third T20I at the Bellerive Oval on Sunday, levelling the five-match series 1-1.
Sundar’s Heroics Power India’s Chase
Star all-rounder Washington Sundar emerged as the standout performer, smashing an unbeaten 49 off 23 balls to guide India past a challenging target of 187 in the penultimate over.
Sundar was well supported by Jitesh Sharma (22 off 12)*, Tilak Varma (29 off 26), and skipper Suryakumar Yadav (24 off 11) as India maintained a strong scoring rate throughout the innings.
Despite Nathan Ellis’s spirited spell (3/36), India’s batting depth ensured a successful chase.
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Tim David and Stoinis Power Australia to 186/6
Opting to bat first, Australia posted 186/6, driven by a brilliant 74 off 38 balls from Tim David and a composed 64 off 39 by Marcus Stoinis. David’s power-hitting display saw him smash five sixes, four of which came straight down the ground.
India’s bowlers made an early impact through Arshdeep Singh, who dismissed Travis Head and Josh Inglis in quick succession, leaving Australia reeling at 14/2.
Arshdeep, who returned to the playing XI, was later named Player of the Match for his impactful performance.
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Indian Bowlers Deliver Under Pressure
Apart from Arshdeep’s early breakthroughs, Varun Chakaravarthy also impressed, removing Mitchell Marsh and Mitchell Owen in consecutive deliveries. Despite a dropped catch from Sundar early in David’s innings, India’s bowlers regained control in the death overs, restricting Australia effectively.
Series Levelled; Focus Shifts to Gold Coast
With this win, India handed Australia their first-ever T20I defeat at the Bellerive Oval. The series now stands level at 1-1, with the fourth T20I scheduled in Gold Coast on November 6.
