The two-match T20I series between India and Australia is all set to begin from the 24th of February at Visakhapatnam. India and Australia have enjoyed a great rivalry in Test and ODI cricket in the recent past and this series will be the perfect opportunity to revive that rivalry between the two sides in the shortest format.
As we wait for the T20 series to begin, here is a look at some interesting stats and numbers from the India-Australia T20I history.
First ever T20I
The first ever T20 between India and Australia was played at the ICC World Twenty20 at Durban on Sep 22, 2007. It was the all-important semi-final of the event and batting first, the MS Dhoni-led India posted 188-5 on the board and then went onto restrict Australia for 173-7, thus winning the game by 15 runs.
Highest team total
The highest team total in India-Australia T20Is is India’s 202-4 at Rajkot in October 2013. While chasing Australia’s massive total of 2013-14 in the one-off T20 between the two teams, India reached the target courtesy a sublime 77 off 35 balls by Yuvraj Singh.
Most runs by a batsman
India’s batting superstar Virat Kohli leads in this category with 488 runs in 14 matches at an incredible average of 61 and a strike-rate of 142.69. He has struck 5 T20I fifties against Australia thus far with a best of 90* at Adelaide in January 2016.
Highest score by a batsman
Shane Watson’s unbeaten 124 at Sydney against the Men in Blue is the highest score by a batsman in India-Australia T20Is. Watson’s effort took just 71 balls and included 10 fours and 6 sixes. No other batsman from either side is yet to score a hundred.
Most wickets
India’s fast bowling sensation Jasprit Bumrah leads this category with 12 wickets in 9 matches at an average of 21.33 and an economy of 7.87. His best bowling figures against Australia has been the 3-23 at Adelaide in January 2016.
Highest strike rate in an innings
The highest strike by a batsman in an innings in India-Australia T20Is (minimum 25 runs) is 288.88 by Shikhar Dhawan. The left-handed Indian opener achieved this stunning strike-rate in a T20I at Sydney in January 2016 where he smashed 26 off just 9 balls.
Best bowling figures
Ravichandran Ashwin’s terrific 4-11 in at the World T20 at Dhaka in March 2014 has remained the best bowling figure in India-Australia T20I history. The Indian off-spinner achieved those figures in a spell of 3.2 overs that helped India shoot Australia out for 86 runs and win the match by 73 runs.
Highest partnership
The massive 134-run stand for the third wicket between India’s Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina in the first match of the series at Sydney is the highest partnership by runs for any wicket in T20Is between India and Australia till now. The two came together at 41-2 in the 5th over and were separated when they had taken India to 175 in 19.2 overs.