Sports Desk
Canberra: India defeated Australia by 11 runs in the first T20I of the three-match series courtesy of Ravindra Jadeja’s 44 runs from just 23 balls to help India set up a target of 162 at Manuka Oval.
However, Jadeja didn’t come on the field after he was struck on the helmet by a Mitchell Starc delivery that ricocheted off the bat in the final over of India’s innings.
Yunzvendra Chahal came on as a concussion replacement in the second innings, picking 3-25 in four overs. He dismissed Aaron Finch, Steve Smith and Matthew Wade.
Earlier, Australian captain Aaron Finch won the toss and decided to bowl in perfect conditions.
Mitchell Starc struck in his second over when he bowled Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan with a beautiful outswinger to leave the Indians 11 for one.
Fellow opener KL Rahul began to take control with some powerful hitting, but with the score on 48, Indian captain Virat Kohli fell for just nine when he tamely chipped a Mitchell Swepson short ball back to the bowler, the young leg-spinner taking an easy catch.
Sanju Samson provided stability in middle overs by playing big shots but he was removed by Henriques to leave India at 86 for three. India struggled on 114/6 in 17 overs as all their batters ere in the pavilion.
But some huge hitting from the injured Jadeja in the last three overs gave the Indian bowlers a good total to defend.
Aussies openers started the chase strongly as skipper Finch and D’Arcy Short provided a 57-run stand. Finch (35) was removed courtesy of a blinder by Hardik Pandya in the eighth over.
Steve Smith (12) also fell similarly but this time Sanju Samson claimed an exceptional catch. In the following over, Thangarasu Natarajan trapped in-form Glenn Maxwell in front. The hosts struggled at 75/3 in.
Short was then partnered by Moises Henriques but they weren’t able to put pressure on Indians. Short (34) was dismissed by Natarajan in the 15th over while Henriques (34) was removed by Deepak Chahar.
Australia fell 11 runs short of the total and lost seven wickets. Chahal was awarded player of the match for his 3/25 in four overs.
The 2nd T20I will be played on Sunday at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
