The legend of Glenn Maxwell continues to grow.
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The Australian all-rounder, who increasingly looks more of a superman with a bat in his hand, played a blinder to give his team a stunning last-ball victory, by five wickets, in the third T20I at the ACA Stadium on Tuesday night. The win ensured the series was still alive, as India’s lead was reduced to 2-1 with two matches remaining.
Maxwell (104 n.o., 48b, 8x4, 8x6) hit Prasidh Krishna over his head for four when two were needed off the last ball. After Axar Patel’s penultimate over went for 22, the visitors needed 21 off the last, the first ball of which was hit for four through square leg by captain Matthew Wade (28 n.o., 16b, 3x4, 1x6). He then took a single to set the stage for the Big Show, who hit 6,4,4,4 off the last four balls.
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The unbroken sixth-wicket partnership was worth 91. Prasidh’s none for 68 became the most expensive figures for India in T20Is.
Earlier, Maxwell had set the Australian record for the most expensive over in the format, conceding 30 in the only over he bowled — the last of the innings.
It was indeed a memorable chase by Australia after India, riding on a brilliant hundred by opener Ruturaj Gaikwad (123 n.o., 57b, 13x4, 7x6), posted 222 for three after being put in.
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Maiden ton
It was a maiden T20I hundred for Gaikwad. It was also the first T20I hundred by an Indian against Australia.
That is what the statistics will tell you. What they don’t is the sheer joy he gave to the near full-house with his beautiful shots all around the park.
After watching Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ishan Kishan trudging back to the dugout inside three overs, he was content to play the supporting role to captain Suryakumar Yadav (39, 29b, 5x4, 2x6). Their third-wicket stand of 57 steadied the ship.
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Gaikwad was batting on 22 off 22 balls when Suryakumar was caught behind off Aaron Hardie. He switched gears in elegant fashion, after he was joined by Tilak Varma ((31 n.o., 24b, 4x4). A gorgeous six over cover off Tanveer Sangha alone would show his class. He added 141 for the unfinished fourth wicket with Tilak.
Jason Behrendorff stood out among the Aussie bowlers yet again. The left-arm pacer, who was strangely omitted for the last match after being the pick of the attack in the first, conceded just 12 off his four overs, on his return to the ground where he had the starring role in Australia’s eight-wicket win the T20I six years ago.
Then Maxwell ensured that his effort did not go in vain. It was the third incredible hundred in a little over a month by the gifted batter.
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Maxwell had lit up the World Cup with his 106 (44b) against the Netherlands and 201 n.o. (128b) against Afghanistan. The Indian team could heave a sigh of relief, though: he is flying home.
Scoreboard
INDIA
Yashasvi Jaiswal c Wade b Behrendorff 6 (6b, 1x4), Ruturaj Gaikwad (not out) 123 (57b, 13x4, 7x6), Ishan Kishan c Stoinis b Richardson 0 (5b), Suryakumar Yadav c Wade b Hardie 39 (29b, 5x4, 2x6), Tilak Varma (not out) 31 (24b, 4x4); Extras (lb-4, w-18, nb-1): 23; Total (for three wkts. in 20 overs): 222.
FALL OF WICKETS
1-14 (Jaiswal, 1.2 overs), 2-24 (Kishan, 2.3), 3-81 (Suryakumar, 10.2).
AUSTRALIA BOWLING
Richardson 3-0-34-1, Behrendorff 4-1-12-1, Ellis 4-0-36-0, Sangha 4-0-42-0, Hardie 4-0-64-1, Maxwell 1-0-30-0.
AUSTRALIA
Travis Head c Bishnoi b Avesh 35 (18b, 8x4), Aaron Hardie c Kishan b Arshdeep 16 (12b, 3x4), Josh Inglis b Bishnoi 10 (6b, 2x4), Glenn Maxwell (not out) 104 (48b, 8x4, 8x6), Marcus Stoinis c Suryakumar b Axar 17 (21b, 2x4), Tim David c Suryakumar b Bishnoi 0 (1b), Matthew Wade (not out) 28 (16b, 3x4, 1x6); Extras (b-4, lb-3, w-6, nb-2): 15; Total (for five wkts. in 20 overs): 225.
FALL OF WICKETS
1-47 (Hardie, 4.2), 2-66 (Head, 5.4), 3-68 (Inglis, 6.2), 4-128 (Stoinis, 12.6), 5-134 (David, 13.3).
INDIA BOWLING
Arshdeep 4-0-44-1, Prasidh 4-0-68-0, Bishnoi 4-0-32-2, Avesh 4-0-37-1, Axar 4-0-37-1.
Toss: Australia; PoM: Maxwell
Australia won by five wickets; India leads five-match series 2-1.
Fourth T20I: Dec. 1, Raipur, 7 p.m.
The teams
India: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan (wk), Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan and Prasidh Krishna.
Australia: Matthew Wade (c/wk), Travis Head, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Jason Behrendorff, Tanveer Sangha and Kane Richardson.