Unfazed by the big Indian total Australia produced a fine batting show to beat hosts India by four wickets in the first T20I in Mohali .
Put into bat by Aussie skipper Aaron Finch , India lost Skipper Rohit Sharma cheaply for 11 with score at 21. Virat Kohli too flopped and was out for 2 . KL Rahul under pressure to fire as an opener struck a fine 55 ( 35 balls, 4 fours, 3 sixes) . Suryakumar Yadav was in his elements right from the start and scored a quick 25 ball 46 ( 2 fours and 4 sixes) , But it was all- rounder Hardik Pandya’s blitz an unbeaten 30 ball 71 ( 7 fours and 5 sixes) that eventually helped India reach a big score of 2018 / 6 in their 20 overs .
For the Aussies, Josh Hazlewood 2/39 ( 4 overs), Nathan Ellis 3/30 ( 4 overs) , Cameron Green 1/ 46 ( 3 overs) were the wicket- takers. Other had a tough day . Pat Cummins 0/ 47 ( 4 overs), Adam Zampa 0/ 36 ( 4 overs) , Glenn Maxwell 0/10 ( 1 over)
In reply, Australia surprised all by sending in big hitting Cameron Green up the order and open with Skipper Aaron Finch . Finch made his intent clear with 13 ball 22 . Australia losing their first wicket at 39 in 3.3 overs. Steven Smith scored 35 ( 24 balls, 3 fours , 1 six), Glenn Maxwell was out for mere 1. Josh Inglis ( 17) , much talked about Tim David fell for 18 . Fall of wickets, however did not deter Cameron Green at all as she smashed a blistering 30 ball 61 ( 8 fours and 4 sixes) . Wicket- keeper Matthew Wade showed his importance with a timely unbeaten cameo a superb 21 ball 45 ( 6 fours and 2 sixes). Pat Cummins was not out 4 as Australia chased down the target in 19.2 overs scoring 211/ 6 .
Australia now took a 1-0 lead in the three- match series
India bowlers had an off day with Jasprit Bumrah rested, the attack looked brittle. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was hammered 0/52 ( 4 overs) , Umesh Yadav 2/27 ( 2 overs), Axar Patel impressed with 3/ 17 ( 4 overs) , Yuzvendra Chahal 1/ 42 ( 3.2 overs) , Harshal Patel 0/49 ( 4 overs) , Hardik Pandya 0/22 ( 2 overs)
