Explain 4th T20 IND vs AUS in 500 words
The 4th T20 match between India and Australia was an exhilarating encounter that took place on December 4, 2020, at the Sydney Cricket Ground. This match was crucial for both teams as they were locked in a 1-1 tie in the series, and a victory in this game would give them the upper hand going into the final match.
Australia won the toss and elected to bat first, looking to set a challenging target for India. The Australian openers, D'Arcy Short and Matthew Wade, got off to a flying start, punishing the Indian bowlers with some aggressive stroke play. They put on a 56-run partnership before Short was dismissed by Washington Sundar for 34 runs.
However, the Indian bowlers managed to pull things back in the middle overs with some disciplined bowling. Yuzvendra Chahal, in particular, was exceptional, picking up three crucial wickets and restricting the flow of runs. The Australian middle-order struggled to get going, and they eventually finished their innings at 150 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs.
Chasing a target of 151 runs, the Indian openers, Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul, provided a solid start to the innings. They played some delightful shots and kept the scoreboard ticking. However, just when it seemed like India was cruising towards victory, Rahul was dismissed for a well-made 30 runs.
Virat Kohli, the Indian captain, then joined Dhawan at the crease, and the duo continued to build a steady partnership. They rotated the strike well and punished the loose deliveries. Dhawan, in particular, was in sublime touch, playing some exquisite shots all around the ground. He reached his fifty and looked set to take India over the finish line.
But, the Australian bowlers had other plans. Moises Henriques, who had been introduced into the attack, struck twice in quick succession, removing both Dhawan and Kohli. This brought Australia back into the game, and the match was finely poised with India needing 35 runs off the last four overs.
Hardik Pandya and Shreyas Iyer took the responsibility of finishing the game for India. They played sensibly, taking calculated risks and not allowing the required run rate to climb. Pandya, known for his big-hitting abilities, unleashed a flurry of boundaries in the penultimate over, bringing the equation down to 14 runs off the final over.
In a nail-biting finish, India managed to score the required runs off the last ball, thanks to a boundary from Iyer. Pandya remained unbeaten on 42 runs off just 22 balls, showcasing his prowess as a finisher. India won the match by six wickets and took a 2-1 lead in the series.
This match was a true testament to the competitiveness and skill of both teams. It had everything a cricket fan could ask for – explosive batting, disciplined bowling, and a thrilling finish. The victory for India not only gave them the series lead but also boosted their confidence going into the final match.