India defeated Australia by 7 wickets in the 4th T20I at Raipur to clinch the five-match series 3-1 with one game to spare. Suryakumar Yadav was the star of the show with a brilliant 79 not out off 43 balls to guide India home in a chase of 165.
Australia post 164/6 after Maxwell’s 50
Australia won the toss and opted to bat first on a good batting surface. They got off to a decent start with Travis Head and Josh Inglis adding 40 runs for the opening wicket. However, India’s spinners pulled things back in the middle overs with Axar Patel and Ravi Bishnoi picking up two wickets each. Glenn Maxwell was the only Australian batsman who looked comfortable against the spinners and he smashed 50 off 31 balls with four sixes. He was well supported by Tim David, who made 32 off 17 balls. Australia finished with 164/6 in their 20 overs, which seemed below par on this ground.
India lose early wickets but Yadav rescues them
India’s chase got off to a shaky start as they lost Ishan Kishan and Yashasvi Jaiswal in the first three overs. Nathan Ellis and Kane Richardson bowled with good pace and accuracy to trouble the Indian top order. Suryakumar Yadav, who was promoted to number three, showed his class and confidence as he counter-attacked the Australian bowlers. He hit some exquisite shots all around the ground and reached his half-century in just 28 balls. He found an able partner in Shreyas Iyer, who played a sensible knock of 37 off 34 balls. The duo added 93 runs for the third wicket and took India close to the target. Yadav finished the game in style with a six off Tanveer Sangha in the 18th over and remained unbeaten on 79 off 43 balls with 11 fours and two sixes. India won by 7 wickets and took an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series.
Yadav named player of the match and series
Suryakumar Yadav was adjudged the player of the match and the player of the series for his outstanding batting performance. He scored 221 runs in four matches at an average of 110.50 and a strike rate of 186.44. He also hit the most sixes (10) and the most fours (23) in the series. He said that he was happy to contribute to the team’s success and thanked the captain and the coach for backing him. He also praised the bowlers for restricting Australia to a manageable total.
