India extended their stupendous form in T20Is as Hardik Pandya’s late heroics sealed the series for the Men in Blue against Australia after Virat Kohli’s men had conceded the ODI series Down Under.
However, Team India did not have the best of starts as Matthew Wade and Steve Smith gave the hosts a solid foundation at the top. However, T Natarajan's timely spell kept Australia at bay as the Tamil Nadu-born bowler ended with 2/20 in his four overs.
Indian batsmen, though, were in top from the very start as they started chasing a tricky target of 196. Shikhar Dhawan's half-century was complemented by Virat Kohli's quick-fire 40 before Hardik Pandya scored 42 in 22 balls to take the match home, and consequently the series, with two balls remaining.
This was India’s 10th T20I win on the trot in a Covid-19 struck 2020 as the Men in Blue remain unbeaten this entire year.
Indian cricket team’s last defeat came against West Indies back in 2019, following which they have defeated Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Australia. It was India who ended Australia’s year-long unbeaten streak in T20Is in the last T20I match and their dominance in the shortest format has Twitter buzzing with excitement.
Has to be among the most feared finishers in the game. @hardikpandya7
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 6, 2020
That's as clutch as they come from Hardik Pandya! 💥💥💥
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 6, 2020
Final scorecard: https://t.co/KEpZrVTqWs#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/hbf5u37gqP
Hardik Pandya smashes two big sixes off Daniel Sams to help India win the second T20I by 6️⃣ wickets 🎉
— ICC (@ICC) December 6, 2020
They have also won the series!#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/rcRY5C5bHD
111 metre hit. Absurd range off anyone, let alone a spinner. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/GUgOkgourt
— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) December 6, 2020
Hardik Pandya you did not just do that? 😱😍😍😍 #AUSvIND
— Alexandra Hartley (@AlexHartley93) December 6, 2020
Hardik Pandya! What a cricketer. The MVP every team dreams of having in their side. #AusvInd
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) December 6, 2020
T Natarajan's bowling Performances in This T20I Series against Australia 2020 :-
— CricketMAN2 (@man4_cricket) December 6, 2020
•Overs - 8
•Runs - 50
•Wickets - 5
•Economy - 6.10
This is outstanding bowling figure. Nattu Hard work is pay of. Brilliance🙌👏. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/rThcYsQiF2
Feature Image courtesy: Instagram / BCCI