Following their heartbreaking defeat in the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 against Australia in Ahmedabad on November 19, India has quickly shifted gears to focus on the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. Just two days after their narrow loss, the Indian cricket team, under the captaincy of the dynamic Suryakumar Yadav, is already engaged in a fierce battle with Australia in the first match of a thrilling 5-game T20 series in Vizag.
Suryakumar Yadav, known for his aggressive and innovative captaincy, won the toss and elected to field first, setting the stage for an intense showdown. The Australian side, led by Josh Inglis, proved to be a formidable force as they posted a challenging total of 208 runs, courtesy of Inglis’s spectacular century.
Josh Inglis notched up his maiden T20I century, reaching the three-figure mark in just 47 balls. His innings, characterised by a blistering 29-ball half-century, left the Indian bowling attack struggling to find answers. The Visakhapatnam crowd witnessed Inglis smashing the white ball all over the park, creating a spectacle.
Facing a target of 209 runs, India showcased their resilience and determination. The team managed to secure a thrilling victory with just one ball left, registering their highest-ever chase in T20Is. Suryakumar Yadav played a pivotal role in the victory, scoring a remarkable 80 runs off 42 balls, adorned with nine fours and four sixes.
The climax of the match unfolded in the last ball when India needed 1 run to win. With the field up, India’s new finisher, Rinku Singh, delivered a masterstroke by smashing Sean Abbott for a six-over long on, sealing the victory and marking a triumphant start to the T20 series. But it was a no-ball, and hence the six did not count.
However, amid the jubilation, an incident in the first over of the Indian innings marred the beginning. Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad faced an unfortunate mix-up in the fifth ball when pushing for the second run. Jaiswal called for it but sent Gaikwad back midway. In the ensuing confusion, Gaikwad found himself without a way back and was run out for 0 without facing a single ball, a dismissal known as a diamond duck.
Here Is What ‘Diamond-Duck’ Means In Cricket
According to ICC rules, a diamond duck occurs when the batter gets out without scoring a single run and also facing a single ball. This type of dismissal comes into play in cases of run-outs or if the player obstructs the field without having faced a ball. Notably, Ruturaj Gaikwad joins the unfortunate list of players who have suffered a diamond duck in T20 internationals.
3 Indian players to get on diamond duck in T20I’s
Ruturaj Gaikwad vs Australia, 2023
Jasprit Bumrah vs Sri Lanka, 2016
Amit Mishra vs England, 2017
In the wake of their ICC Cricket World Cup heartbreak, India’s emphatic performance in the T20 series opener against Australia will provide some happy moments. Suryakumar Yadav’s strategic captaincy, coupled with outstanding individual performances, has set the tone for an exciting series ahead.
