Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav guide India to a series win:
India lost their in-form opener, KL Rahul, in the first over on Daniel Sams’ short ball. Rohit Sharma started well with two fours and one big six but failed to convert it into a big knock. The star pacer Pat Cummins dismissed Rohit on just 17 runs in the fourth over to put some early pressure on the hosts.
But Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav formed an impressive 104-run partnership for the third wicket to keep India in control of the match. Suryakumar smashed the highest 69 runs off 36 balls before getting caught out on Josh Hazlewood’s delivery in the 14th overs.
Kohli guided India closer to a target with his 33rd fifty in T20I cricket. He smashed a big six to insure India’s win when they needed 11 runs off the last over. Hardik Pandya scored four on the fifth delivery of the last over to secure a thrilling win for India with a ball remaining.
Losing Captain, Aaron Finch said:
It was a really good series. We held our nerves well in the middle overs. The series Green had was big as well. We thought it was a decent total, it got a bit dewy, and we knew we had to get wickets. You can’t rely on containing India. At times we were a bit sloppy in our execution. To be able to play three games against a world-class side has been great for this side. [On Green] He is a super young player; he has shown his class. He has not played a lot of T20. He has taken it superbly.
Winning Captain, Rohit Sharma said:
It’s a special place. We have had great memories playing for India and when I played for Deccan Chargers as well. Biggest positive was diffierent individuals stepping up and delivering. You feel good about it as a management. Margin of error in T20s is small. We took our chances, we were brave as well. Sometime it doesn’t come off. There are areas to improve as well. Not easy coming back after a break against a tough team. They (Bumrah and Harshal) will take some time. Hopefully they can get back into their groove in the next series.
Player of the Match, Suryakumar Yadav said:
[His dismissal] In that situation, it was much needed. I thought let’s take my chance. There were two-three shots in my mind, was trying to hit over mid-off. Thoughts have always been the same, have always wanted to express myself. That’s how I practice in the nets. Just loving at No.4. A lot of challenges and responsibilities as well [for the T20 WC]. You can’t shy away from expressing yourself. Have to be smart.
Player of the Series, Axar Patel said:
When you do well, and the team wins you feel nice. The things I do in the IPL, bowling in the powerplay and when you execute it well, feels nice. The line and lengths, I bowl, I back myself. Even if the batter hits a good shot, I back myself. I try and execute my plans.
