India played the 3rd T20 against Australia yesterday (NOV 29, 2023). India set an impressive target of 222 runs in 20 overs, courtesy of a stellar performance by Ruturaj Gaikwad. Gaikwad’s maiden T20I century was instrumental in India’s commanding total. Fans thought India would win the series, but there are always good and bad surprises. Maxwell played a blinder knock and scored a match-winning 100 to save Australia and keep them alive in the series.
Ruturaj Maiden Hundred – Ind Vs Aus
After scoring his maiden T20I hundred for India, Ruturaj Gaikwad during the press conference, said “Initially I thought pitch was slow down and the challenging movement both in the air and off, led to India losing two quick wickets. However, he highlighted that around the 7-8 over mark, the wicket improved, allowing for a shift in momentum.” In the end, Rutu accelerated and pushed India to a massive total of 222 runs. In the last three overs, India scored about 67 runs, almost 22 runs per over.
Maxwell Special – Ind vs Aus
However, despite a massive total of 222/3, Australian batsman Glenn Maxwell emerged as the undeniable game-changer. He scored a quick hundred to take Australia to the winning line in the last ball. His blazing ton off just 47 balls secured him a spot as a joint record-holder for the fastest century in T20Is. Arriving at the crease with Australia requiring 13 runs per over, Maxwell’s remarkable innings propelled his team, particularly in the critical last three overs where they needed 50 runs, but still, Indian bowlers failed to defend it.
Dew Played Huge Role – Indian Bowlers Couldn’t Control The Line
Gaikwad highlighted the difficulty faced by Indian bowlers in gripping the ball during the death overs, emphasizing that executing plans became challenging due to the slippery conditions caused by the dew. Australian bowlers also struggled with the same issue where India scored 67 runs in the last three overs
Also, he said that our bowlers tried executing what they had in their control but dew made the ball more wet, and mentioned that chasing high run rates, even up to 12-14 runs an over in such conditions, was achievable. Even in the first game, we saw how easily we chased 210.
PC: Cricbuzz
