After taking the ODI series 4-1, hosts India started the T20I series on front foot after a nine-wicket victory over Australia on Saturday at Ranchi.
In a match played under overcast conditions, India skipper Virat Kohli had won the toss and elected to bowl first keeping weather interruptions in the latter stages in mind.
That move paid dividends in the end as heavy showers reduced Australia’s total of 114-8 to a 48-run chase for Kohli’s men.
Though weather interventions cost us a full 20-over game, we look at the player ratings for the two teams.
Making his comeback into the side after being given permission to miss the ODI series, the left-handed opener had a much shorter target than anticipated but played sensibly enough to guide India home.
The hero of India’s win in the final ODI, the right-hander left the door ajar for Australia after gifting his wicket early into his side’s chase. A six off the delivery prior to his dismissal was his only notable contribution.
Made the right call at the toss and proved once again why he is the best chaser in the limited-overs format after his unbeaten 14-ball 21 to ease India through. Effected a brilliant run-out from the deep with a searing throw.
VIDEO: Meanwhile as the rain takes centre stage at Ranchi, relive @imVkohli‘s bullet throw from the deephttps://t.co/Js3NzLwcvQ #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/YrxAusrU34
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 7, 2017
The right-hander did not have any notable contribution in the rain-curtailed tie. He was good in the field when called upon.
Like Pandey, he was not called into action with the bat and India’s frontline bowlers’ excellent display meant that his part-time spin wasn’t required.
He was solid behind the stumps as his standard with him. The local hero did not get the chance to bat to dampen the night for Ranchi supporters slightly.
Was good with the ball though slightly expensive. Picked up the crucial wicket of Travis Head and wasn;t called upon with the bat.
He was a tad expensive as well with the ball but continued his excellent ODI form with the vital wicket of David Warner in the very first over of the match.
The youngster was lethal with the ball on Saturday and deservedly won the man of the match award. He returned with excellent figures of 2-16 in his four overs to leave India with a comfortable chase.
Like the other leg-spinner, Chahal was excellent once again on a wicket which was slow and kept low at times. His sole wicket came off probably his worst delivery of the day but he will take it all day long.
Has turned into a fine death bowler and showed his prowess once again on Saturday with two clean-bowled dismissals in the 18th over of Australia’s innings.
100* T20 wickets for Jasprit Bumrah in India, becomes the 16th Indian & 19th overall to take 100 or more wickets in the country. #INDvAUS
— ViratKohli #Kohli FC (@Im_ViratKohli) October 7, 2017
The only Aussie batsman who can look back at Saturday’s performance proudly. He was in imperious touch as he has been all throughout the tour with a 30-ball 42. Was undone by Yadav’s magic though.
Finch was the sole shining light in Australia’s batting line-up.
Not the best of starts for the stand-in captain. Lost his wicket in the very first over after starting well to set Australia back early on.
After performing miserably in the ODI series, the maverick Australian batsman let himself down once again after he was sent in at number through. Got dismissed to a rubbish Chahal delivery.
Being groomed for the number four role in the Aussie batting lineup, Head’s innings never got going before he eventually chopped one Pandya delivery onto his stumps.
One of Australia’s T20I specialists, the all-rounder fell to the guile and flight of Yadav after advancing down the track. Wasn’t given a ball during India’s chase.
Another T20I veteran, the all-rounder was run-out by a direct hit from Kohli at long-on after trying to sneak in a cheeky second. Came onto bowl when India were almost home.
The Australian wicket-keeper has been given a new lease of life with T20Is. He was playing decently well in his 16-ball 17 cameo before a Bumrah special knocked over his stumps.
Like Paine, was castled by a Bumrah with a perfect yorker. He took the sole Indian wicket to fall after he bowled opener Rohit Sharma. Finished with figures of 1-20 in two overs.
The T2OI specialist had only one over to bowl in the curtailed match and he went for 10 runs in that. The pacer did not have much else to do.
Had only one over to bowl in India’s chase but did well to go for only run a ball given the circumstances. He did not have much else to do either.
The pacer was making his maiden Australia appearance and did pretty well for a debut. Was given only one over but went for only five runs to keep the pressure on India.
Good to see Jason Behrendorff get a gig for Australia in India. Has a bright future, not just in t20, if he stays on the park.
— Darren Murphy 🏏 (@MrDMurphy) August 18, 2017
