Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik were able to take India over the finishing line after the visitors looked in slight trouble. India was able to level the series as they won the final T20I by six wickets. Meanwhile, Australia posted a decent total of 164-6 in their 20 overs after their skipper Aaron Finch decided to bat first winning the toss. Finch and D’Arcy Short gave a solid start as the right and left-hand combination added 68 runs for the opening wicket. Both of them scored 49 runs in the powerplay overs and Australia looked set for a huge total.
Meanwhile, Indian fielders continued to field with butterfingers as they fluffed their chances. Rohit Sharma could not hold on to a tough chance whereas India’s ground fielding also disappointed.
It was a white-knuckle encounter.
On the other hand, Krunal Pandya was on song with the ball as the left-arm scalped four wickets to push the hosts on backfoot. Pandya was able to plumb D’Arcy Short and Ben McDermott in front of the wickets on successive balls.
Marcus Stoinis was able to finish Australia’s innings on a high as he scored a quickfire knock of 25 runs off 15 balls. Alex Carey also scored a handy knock of 27 runs off just 19 balls.
Meanwhile, India was able to get off to a fine start in their run-chase. The tourist’s openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma hit the straps as they scored 67 runs in the first six overs. The Indian opener pair added 42 runs off just two overs to launch their attack on the opposition.
Dhawan added 41 runs off just 21 balls whereas Rohit Sharma scored 23 off 15 balls. However, India lost both their openers in quick succession to bring back Australia into the contest. Australia was able to double strike once again as KL Rahul went for the big shot whereas Rishabh Pant fell to a slow knuckleball.
Thus, the onus was on Indian skipper Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik to take India over the finishing line. Virat Kohli advanced down the wicket to Andrew Tye to hit him over the long off boundary was the shot of the day. The Indian captain scored his fifty off just 34 balls to play a captain’s knock.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the third and final T20I.
? Kohli has arrived ??? #AusvInd
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) November 25, 2018
Superb innings from @SDhawan25 at the top and @imVkohli remains unbeaten in a run-chase, and when that happens India invariably wins. Congratulations India on the win today #AUSvIND
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) November 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/TharakiPUN/status/1066651930972352512
Most accurate description of this T20I series. India were the better team. 1-1 doesn't do justice. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/L5uZjPxv7J
— Aditya (@forwardshortleg) November 25, 2018
India Cricket fans to Virat Kohli #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/ddNH9SbaFY
— gajender (@gajender00) November 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/xDantKillMyVibe/status/1066651997875531777
Sydney Cricket Ground has turned into Wankhede Stadium#AUSvIND
— Siddharth KumarSingh (@siddharthk63) November 25, 2018
The 15 Australian fans in the crowd will be shattered #AUSvIND
— Lance Jenkinson (@westsport) November 25, 2018
#AUSvIND Rain has forgotten to save aussie today
— Gersome Henry (@GersomeHenry1) November 25, 2018
India 1-1 Australia (Should have been Ind 2-1 Aus if the MCG game had been completed)#AUSvIND
— Chandler Bing (@SarcasmChamp) November 25, 2018
Harsha bhogle reaching orgasm watching kohli bat #AUSvIND
— Arsh (@i_m_arsh) November 25, 2018
#RishabhPant se jyada run to aap bana rahe thee papa…aap ko kyu bahar kia????#INDvAUS #AUSvIND #Dhoni pic.twitter.com/6vuCRc1t1T
— Bonkers ? (@bhhatu) November 25, 2018
Chase master at his very best? #AUSvIND
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) November 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/Bhushn0409/status/1066647778779176961
Wow. That Kohli straight six off the bowling of Tye. That gave me a boner. #AUSvIND #INDvAUS
— Prantik (@Pran__07) November 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/VinayShekawat/status/1066647707660431360
https://twitter.com/atharva_aussie/status/1066647691193540613