India win 2nd T20 by 8 wickets
MELBOURNE: India earned its first win on its Australian tour when it beat the host side by eight wickets to even their Twenty20 series on Friday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
After losing all four tests and the first Twenty20 on Wednesday, India restricted Australia to 131 and scored 135-2 in 19.4 overs, led by Gautam Gambhir's 56 not out.
With only one run needed off the final over, Clint McKay bowled three dot balls before Gambhir hit a four to claim victory.
The win will give India some confidence heading into the one-day tri-series beginning on Sunday, also at the MCG, when India and Australia kick off the tournament which also includes Sri Lanka.
Australia was restricted by four run outs before 62,275 spectators at the MCG. India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni claimed two catches and a stumping and set aggressive fields before scoring 21 not out.
Spinner Brad Hogg removed Virender Sehwag (23), caught at cover, before Virat Kohli scored 31 in a 54-run partnership with Gambhir.
Wicketkeeper and Australia test hopeful Matthew Wade took a diving catch to dismiss Kohli off Mitchell Marsh's bowling but Australia failed to stop India's momentum with the bat.
Earlier, Aaron Finch (36) and Wade (32) were two of Australia's four runout victims.
India's work rate and enthusiasm in the field, which had been lacking in the test series, was the standout feature of Australia's innings collapse.
David Warner, whose innings of 25 on Wednesday included a huge six after switching from left-handed to right-handed mid-delivery, failed to play the role of entertainer on Friday. He lasted only eight balls before being caught at deep square leg for 8.
Shaun Marsh, who scored only 17 runs in the test series, fell for a second-ball duck as Pravin Kumar claimed two wickets in an over.
David Hussey, who was involved in the runouts of Finch and skipper George Bailey (3), was fifth man out for 24.
The fall of Mitchell Marsh for 13 sparked a collapse of five Australian wickets for 12 runs.
"It was a very disappointing batting effort," Bailey said. "Four run outs, three in our top order, and we were clearly out fielded."
Spinner Ravindra Jadeja, who ran out Bailey and took 1-16 off three overs, was named man of the match.
MELBOURNE: India earned its first win on its Australian tour when it beat the host side by eight wickets to even their Twenty20 series on Friday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
After losing all four tests and the first Twenty20 on Wednesday, India restricted Australia to 131 and scored 135-2 in 19.4 overs, led by Gautam Gambhir's 56 not out.
With only one run needed off the final over, Clint McKay bowled three dot balls before Gambhir hit a four to claim victory.
The win will give India some confidence heading into the one-day tri-series beginning on Sunday, also at the MCG, when India and Australia kick off the tournament which also includes Sri Lanka.
Australia was restricted by four run outs before 62,275 spectators at the MCG. India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni claimed two catches and a stumping and set aggressive fields before scoring 21 not out.
Spinner Brad Hogg removed Virender Sehwag (23), caught at cover, before Virat Kohli scored 31 in a 54-run partnership with Gambhir.
Wicketkeeper and Australia test hopeful Matthew Wade took a diving catch to dismiss Kohli off Mitchell Marsh's bowling but Australia failed to stop India's momentum with the bat.
Earlier, Aaron Finch (36) and Wade (32) were two of Australia's four runout victims.
India's work rate and enthusiasm in the field, which had been lacking in the test series, was the standout feature of Australia's innings collapse.
David Warner, whose innings of 25 on Wednesday included a huge six after switching from left-handed to right-handed mid-delivery, failed to play the role of entertainer on Friday. He lasted only eight balls before being caught at deep square leg for 8.
Shaun Marsh, who scored only 17 runs in the test series, fell for a second-ball duck as Pravin Kumar claimed two wickets in an over.
David Hussey, who was involved in the runouts of Finch and skipper George Bailey (3), was fifth man out for 24.
The fall of Mitchell Marsh for 13 sparked a collapse of five Australian wickets for 12 runs.
"It was a very disappointing batting effort," Bailey said. "Four run outs, three in our top order, and we were clearly out fielded."
Spinner Ravindra Jadeja, who ran out Bailey and took 1-16 off three overs, was named man of the match.
News Posted: 3 February, 2012
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