India completed a come-from-behind series win to clinch the series 2-1 against Australia with a 6-wicket victory in another last-over finish.
After a 4-wicket loss in Mohali, the Men In Blue won by 6 wickets in Nagpur. The Hyderabad T20I also went down the wire, in India’s chase of 187.
With 4 runs required off the last 2 balls, Daniel Sams bowled a full delivery outside off-stump. He’d bowled it well and at a length where Hardik Pandya couldn’t get under it; but luck went Pandya’s way as he sliced the ball and it took a thick edge and raced past the left of the diving short thirdman fielder for a boundary.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli rejoice the win in a warm hug
No sooner had the ball reached the boundary than Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who were sitting on the steps near the rope, celebrated the win animatedly, like two children enjoying the win and each other’s company. Kohli was the first to be jumping on his feet, and Rohit had not even stood up properly before Kohli hugged him for the match win and series triumph.
This video gave another proof to the fans and shut those who’d been talking about a rift and ego-battles between Rohit and Kohli.
Here, watch the video of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli hugging each other after India’s win in Hyderabad.
The bond between these two is beyond perfection. Fans should understand this. #IndvsAus pic.twitter.com/qtklkMUsDQ
— Amit Mishra (@MishiAmit) September 25, 2022
Awarded with the Player of the Match, Suryakumar Yadav continues to dazzle the fans as he stroked 69 runs off 36 balls (strike rate 191). The India number 4 batter walloped 5 fours and 5 sixes in what was one of his best T20 knocks, given the opposition – the defending T20 World Cup champions – and the high-pressure game of being a series-decider.
The right-hander scored 63 runs off 48 balls and was involved in a big partnership of 104 runs (62 balls) with Suryakumar Yadav and 48 (32) with Hardik Pandya.
Apart from SKY and Kohli, Hardik Pandya scored 25 runs off 16 balls to seal the game with one ball left.
Suryakumar Yadav said: “In that situation I thought let me take my chance. I had two three shots in mind but I tried to hit over mid-off only. My mindset is pretty clear. Loving it at No. 4. There will be tough challenge but you got to express yourself and been a little smart as well.”
Rohit Sharma was pleased to see different players standing up at different points in the series.
“Biggest positive was different individuals stepping up and delivering. You feel good about it as a management. Margin of error in T20s is small. We took our chances; we were brave as well,” Rohit said.
Sharma downplayed the poor series the pacers had had. He stated: “[About the bowling] Sometime it doesn’t come off. There are areas to improve as well. Not easy coming back after a break against a tough team. They (Bumrah and Harshal) will take some time. Hopefully, they can get back into their groove in the next series.”
