Australia vs. India: Winners and Losers from 3rd T20I
India notched an epic seven-wicket win to seal the three-match T20 series against Australia 0-3 as they chased down a mammoth 198. Suresh Raina hit the winning runs off the final ball to help India take the series and put them well on track with their World Twenty20 preparations.
We’ve picked some winners and losers from the third T20. Feel free to add yours in the comments section.
Winner: Shane Watson, the Batsman
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Shane Watson hit a blistering, unbeaten 124 off 71 to help guide Australia to a total of 197. It was a blistering effort, and while the pitch and fast outfield helped, to bat every single ball away still takes quite a special effort.
Watson took over the captaincy from Aaron Finch for this match, and despite struggling for form in the previous two T20s, Watson's batting just clicked on Sunday.
Loser: All of Australia’s Batsmen Except Shane Watson
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Contrary to Shane Watson’s exploits, the rest of the Australian batting lineup struggled. Watson scored more than 60 percent of Australia’s runs, with the second-highest contributor (Travis Head's 26 off 19) adding just 13 percent.
The score still looked massive, but when there is little support from the rest of the team, the scorecard looked lopsided and probably cost Australia the victory in the end.
Winner: India’s Top Order
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Throughout this series, Australia have struggled to dismiss India’s top order. On a batting-friendly pitch with a blitz outfield, it was even more difficult.
Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina all contributed to an epic chase. Dhawan only managed 26 of the top order's runs, but they came off just nine balls, a crucial little cameo as India chased down a huge total.
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Loser: Australia's Frontline Fast Bowlers
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As has been the issue for much of this series, Shaun Tait struggled with consistency. He conceded 46 runs in his four overs and bowled four wides. His struggle for control in this series has been a big issue.
Australia's only hope of winning this match was by taking wickets, but Tait's lack of control simply didn't allow the pressure to build. Rookie Scott Boland also struggled, conceding 34 runs in his three overs. Sure, it was his international debut and Australia are using this as an opportunity to test their depth, but there was just far too much average bowling from the two men up front.
Winner: Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina’s Nerves
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Suresh Raina played an epic knock, hitting 49 runs off 25 balls. Yuvraj Singh turned back time with 15 off 12, but it's the final over that really set these two apart.
First, Yuvraj pounced on the first two balls of the final over, hitting a four and a six with the greatest of ease. It was like the Yuvraj of old, but he also knew he could not do it all himself. The batsmen were happy to settle for a bye off the third ball of the over, and good running between the wickets meant Raina was on strike for the final ball. He pounced on a short of a length ball to send it over point for four and, ultimately, the inning runs.
Winner: Shane Watson, the Bowler
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Shane Watson managed to keep his bowling economy under 7.50 in his four overs, the second-lowest total for both teams.
In the greater scheme of things, Australia will be pleased he has hit form in the shortest format of the game before the World Twenty20 in March, but after such a thrashing, Australia will feel frustrated their players could not do better.
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