India lose third T20I at SCG, win series 2-1
The Men in Blue faced a 12-run loss against Australia in the third and final T20I at Sydney Cricket Ground.
Put to bat first, Australia put up a total of 186/5 on board riding on the fifties from Matthew Wade and Glenn Maxwell. The visitors on the other hand couldn't cross the finish line despite Captain Kohli's 85 (61).
We take you through some of the talking points in the third T20I between Australia and India.
India unbeaten in last seven T20I series
The Men in Blue ended 2020 with nine T20I wins and a single loss. However, they ended up winning their third T20I series in the year.
India are yet to lose a T20I series since the conclusion of the 2019 World Cup last year.
Australia's day but India win the T20I series 2-1 🏆
— ICC (@ICC) December 8, 2020
Next stop 🛬 Adelaide for the first Test!#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/mQjfP2ienZ
Matthew Wade continues good form
After a good knock at the top-order on Sunday, Australia continued to persist with Matthew Wade as opener alongside Aaron Finch. The southpaw restored the faith with another quickfire half-century.
He went on to register his career-best score of 80 (54).
5️⃣0️⃣ for Matthew Wade 👏
— ICC (@ICC) December 8, 2020
He is the only Australia wicket-keeper to make a 50-plus score in men's T20Is and he has done it thrice!
All three half-centuries have come against India as an opener 👀
Follow #AUSvIND 👉 https://t.co/aLozLSAnsU pic.twitter.com/CFrthc2TRT
Maxwell unleashes himself again
Walking out to bat at number four, Glenn Maxwell rode on his luck as he was dropped twice and got out on a no-ball. The 32-year old registered a 36-ball 54 with three boundaries and three maximums.
5️⃣0️⃣ for Glenn Maxwell!
— ICC (@ICC) December 8, 2020
He's had a bit of luck, but has struck the ball very well today 💥 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/vksb8q2zpG
Virat Kohli puts up a tough fight
Leading from the front, Virat Kohli played a sensational knock of 85 (61) at SCG. The Indian captain came early into the crease after KL Rahul was dismissed in the second ball of the innings.
India remained in the game till Hardik Pandya and he were dismissed off back-to-back overs.
Kohli’s 85 in vain as India lose their first T20 of 2020.
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) December 8, 2020
They still take the series 2-1 🏆#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #AUSvIND @BCCI pic.twitter.com/nXcUkPesnB
Mitchell Swepson wins Man of the Match
The Australian leg-spinner spun a web in the middle as the Indian batsmen failed to withstand him. Swepson went on to pick the wickets of Shikhar Dhawan, Sanju Samson, and Shreyas Iyer to apply the brakes into the Indian innings.
4️⃣ overs
— ICC (@ICC) December 8, 2020
2️⃣3️⃣ runs
3️⃣ wickets
Mitchell Swepson's brilliant bowling has earned him the Player of the Match in the third #AUSvIND T20I 🔥 pic.twitter.com/HQ66dLHPs9
Hardik gives his Man of the Series award to Natarajan
Hardik ended the series with a magnificent strike rate of 156. He was awarded the Man of the Series. However, he made a heartwarming gesture by giving the award to Natarajan who was playing his debut T20I series.
Natarajan picked a total of six wickets which was the highest in the series.
Natarajan, you were outstanding this series. To perform brilliantly in difficult conditions on your India debut speaks volumes of your talent and hardwork 👏 You deserve Man of the Series from my side bhai! Congratulations to #TeamIndia on the win 🇮🇳🏆 pic.twitter.com/gguk4WIlQD
— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) December 8, 2020