Hardik Pandya was the star batter who helped India break the record of India’s highest score against Australia. Pandya’s knock of an unbeaten 71 runs, along with crucial contributions from KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav propelled India’s score to 208/6 in their allotted 20 overs on Tuesday (September 20) at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali.
Aussie skipper Aaron Finch won the toss and opted to bowl first. India’s two openers, Rahul and Rohit Sharma walked out to bat but the latter’s stay at the crease was short lived as the skipper walked back after scoring 11 runs off nine balls.
Soon, No. 3 batter Virat Kohli traced back Rohit’s steps onto the dressing room. The pair of Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav stitched a 68-run partnership between them before the former was dismissed on 55 runs off 35 balls (that also included four boundaries and three sixes). This happened in the 12th over bowled by Josh Hazlewood.
Hazlewood bowled full on the pads making Rahul whip it away but he didn’t get the desired elevation and Nathan Ellis at the deep square leg grabbed a good catch.
India lost their next wicket in the over bowled by Cameron Green. Green’s back of a length made Suryakumar guide the ball towards the third man but got a thin edge and keeper Matthew Wade made no mistake. Suryakumar walked back to the dressing room after a knock of 46 runs off 25 balls with two boundaries and four sixes.
Then Pandya played an unbeaten knock of 71 runs off 30 balls with seven fours and five sixes at an impressive strike rate of 236.67, helping India’s score reach 208/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Notably, this is has now become India’s highest score against Australia in T20Is.
ALSO READ | WATCH: Right-handed Glenn Maxwell turns leftie ahead of 1st T20I vs India
Check how Twitter reacted to Hardik Pandya and India’s score
ALSO READ | IND vs AUS 1st T20I: Date, Timings, Squads, TV Telecast & Live Streaming Details
ALSO READ | WATCH: Harmanpreet Kaur produces stunning diving one-handed catch to dismiss England’s Alice Capsey
