Suryakumar Yadav’s rapid half-century led India to a six-wicket win over Australia with one ball remaining in their Twenty20 decider for a 2-1 series victory.
Yadav smacked 69 off 36 balls and put 104 runs off only 62 deliveries with Virat Kohli as India scored 187-4 in 19.5 overs. Kohli hit a 48-ball 63.
Earlier at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, India won the toss and asked Australia to bat first in the third T20. Australia scored 186-7 thanks to quick-fire half-centuries from Cameron Green (52) and Tim David (54).
Australia won the first T20 in Mohali by four wickets, and the hosts won the curtailed second game in Nagpur by six wickets.
India made one change to their lineup Sunday with pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar coming in for batter Rishabh Pant. Australia also made one change, with batsman Josh Inglis coming in for bowling all-rounder Sean Abbott.
A capacity crowd watched the game as international cricket returned to the venue for the first time since February 2019.
Chasing a competitive 187, India lost both openers early. Lokesh Rahul (1) and captain Rohit Sharma (17) were out with the score at 30-2 in 3.4 overs.
Kohli then anchored the Indian innings with a relatively sedate half-century. He hit three fours as well as four sixes.
But the impetus came from Yadav, who stunned the Australian bowling with five sixes and another five fours. Yadav got to his half-century off 29 balls as the duo brought up 50 in 32 balls.
Josh Hazlewood (1-40) got the breakthrough to leave India at 134-3, needing 53 off the last six overs. It only managed 21 runs in the 18 balls after Yadav was caught by Australia captain Aaron Finch.
Kohli and Hardik Pandya (25 not out) combined for a crucial 48 runs, with Kohli out in the final over, caught by Finch off Daniel Sams (2-33).
Meanwhile, the Men in Blue registered two world records after a series win over Australia.
Most wins in a calendar year in men’s T20Is
21 – India in 2022
20 – Pakistan in 2021
Most home wins in a year in men’s T20Is
10 – India in 2022
9 – Zimbabwe in 2022
8 – India in 2017
8 – West Indies in 2021