India vs Australia 2019: An 11-year Old Record on the Brink of Getting Broken

Australia had won the Vizag T20I by three wickets – causing an upset over India. Meanwhile, there is an 11-year old record on the brink of getting broken, as the Bengaluru T20I approaches. On Wednesday (February 27t), the second match of the series is scheduled at M Chinnaswamy stadium. Though the India National Cricket Team will look to hunt down the Kangaroos to level the T20Is, the visitors are upbeat about pocketing the series.

Maxwell, Coulter-Nile thump India

In Vizag on Sunday, it wasn’t a pleasant outing for the Indians. Having to bat first after losing the toss, they lost Rohit Sharma early. Though KL Rahul and Virat Kohli added 50 plus runs for the second wicket, India’s middle-order didn’t lend any support; as a result, the hosts couldn’t manage to go past the par score. For Australia, it was Nathan Coulter-Nile who took three wickets while leg-spinner, Adam Zampa was clinical during the middle overs too.

Chasing a modest 127 didn’t look to be challenging for the mighty Aussies. However, there was some twist in the script. Australia, who dominated the game until the 14th over, seemed to have lost the plot in the meantime. As Indian bowlers made light work of their batsmen, the hosts were all but nearing a win. But, it did not finish as they had planned. Umesh Yadav, who bowled the last over, gave away 14 needed runs; resulting in Australia winning the thriller by three wickets.

What’s the record?

As Australia gears up for the second T20I, they can well break the jinx – beating India in a bilateral T20I series in 11 years. Though in 2008, Australia had won the one-off T20I, they clinched the series. Since then, the Oz hasn’t been able to outnumber India in a bilateral T20Is. Most recently, both the teams salvaged a draw in Australia during the T20Is. Meanwhile, the numbers don’t favour the Aussies too. In 19 matches played so far, they have won only seven, losing 11 and one game getting abandoned.

However, at the venue, the record speaks differently for the Men in Blue. In the last five T20Is, India had lost three and won two. On Wednesday, India will look to better the number.