New Delhi: India registered an all-round performance with both bat and ball to win the first Twenty20 game against Australia in Adelaide on Tuesday.
Youngster Jasprit Bumrah was the star man with the ball after picking three wickets to dent the Australian chase who were set a target of 189 runs from 20 overs. India won the match by 37 runs to draw first blood in the 3-match T20 series.
Earlier, Virat Kohli defined the Indian batting by scoring an unbeaten 90 runs. India saw Rohit Sharma get off to a great start just from where he had left off from the ODIs. Shane Watson's first over was the turning point where the returning maestro got both Rohit and Shikhar Dhawan with some brilliant bowling.
But Kohli batted sensibly alongside Suresh Raina and the duo added 135 runs together to put India on a strong platform. Kohli attacked Aussie bowlers with his trademark shots and batted positively. Raina provided a good shield on the other hand and got the scorecard ticking.
Apart from Watson, Australia's other bowlers were taken to the park by Kohli. India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni came towards the end and smashed 11 off three balls as India romped up a staggering 188/3 in 20 overs.
In the chase Australia got off to a good start with both David Warner and Aaron Finch dictating the Indian bowlers at the start. The duo ensured that Aussies got off to a flier after getting 47 runs in first five overs. Jasprit Bumrah provided the breakthrough for the visitors getting David Warner for 17 runs who looked like to run away with the game.
Aaron Finch continued with his big hitting as he got consistent boundaries and with Steve Smith at the other end, Aussies were in a commanding position. Hardik Pandya's first over saw him produce 19 runs and India looked short of answers. Dhoni introduced spin and the trick worked with Ravindra Jadeja getting Smith and Travis Head in quick succession.
The Indians got a hold from there on and Ravichandran Ashwin performed well for his skipper after getting the dangerous Finch with a LBW before sending dashing Shane Watson back too.
The positive response from the spinners helped the pacers to come back to the mix as Bumrah, Pandya and Ashish Nehra got in the wickets column.
189 runs seemed a distant target for Australia as Indian bowlers kept getting wickets at crucial intervals.
This was a good start by India given that they lost the ODI series 1-4.
