India vs Australia, 2020-21: 2nd T20I – Who Said What

The SCG wasn’t hospitable for Team India in the ODIs as they lost both matches against Australia in the ongoing tour. However, their fortunes around with the change in format as they won the second T20I in Sydney by six wickets. The victory also helped the Men in Blue take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. It was also their third victory against Australia at the SCG out of as many games.

Skipper Wade takes charge

Matthew Wade and D’Arcy Short, plenty of times, have opened for the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League and put on massive partnerships. For Australia, on Super Sunday, the duo stitched together a 47-run stand off 27 balls. Wade the more attacking of the two before T Natarajan dismissed Short for a run-a-ball nine. In the meantime, Wade got to his half-century off 25 balls.

But he got out in a bizarre way as he was run-out at the striker’s end after Virat Kohli dropped him inside the circle. Thereafter, Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell’s 45-run stand injected momentum into the innings. Maxwell perished to Shardul Thakur for 22, but Smith carried on and managed 46 off 38. Moises Henriques and Marcus Stoinis’ cameos meant that Australia posted 194 runs on the board.

Hardik Pandya wields magic

India had a few quiet overs to start their run-chase, but after KL Rahul hit a six off a free-hit from Andrew Tye, they got going. Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan put on 56 for the opening wicket. It was Tye, who gave the hosts their first breakthrough, getting rid of Rahul for 30. Dhawan notched his fifty and got out to Adam Zampa. Sanju Samson hit a four and a six before Mitchell Swepson dismissed him.

The onus was then on Kohli and Hardik Pandya to steady the ship with the required-rate well above 10. Kohli started slow, but then smashed two fours and as many sixes. To his dismay, Daniel Sams accounted for his wicket after the batter notched 40. In the end, Hardik Pandya scored 42 off 22, smacked 14 runs off the final over and took India over the finishing line in the nail-biting encounter.

Hardik Pandya, the Player of the Match, said

It’s very simple. I like to look at the scoreboard and play so that I know which bowlers to target. I have been in these situations many times and I learnt from my mistakes in the past. My game is always around the confidence which I carry, it has that fine line where I back myself and not become overconfident.

I always remember all those times when we chased big totals and it helps. They were batting really well and we wanted to be positive and special mention to Natarajan as well. I thought he should be the Man of the Match, because the bowlers struggled here and he had a really good game.

Matthew Wade, the Australian skipper, said

It was good fun. Lot more fun till Hardik came out. May be a little bit short with the bat. Unfortunately we didn’t execute well towards the end with the ball. When you get a start like that you want to push but I was disappointed with the way I got out and the timing of my wicket as well. Zampa has been outstanding for the last few years. We just couldn’t execute it well in the end.

Virat Kohli, the Indian skipper, said

We played really well as a team in T20 cricket. The fact that two of our established players are not playing and to win like this, makes me very proud of this team. Everyone has played 14 games recently (in the IPL) and they know their plans. Natarajan was outstanding and Shardul was good today.

Hardik finishing off the game and Shikhar getting that fifty, it’s a whole team effort. The reason for him (Hardik) to come into our team in 2016 was pure ability, he now realizes that this is the time to establish in that (finishing) role and play match-winning knocks for us.

He plays with all his heart and he certainly got that competitive nature about him and also has the skill to execute that at the highest level. That’s (next game) gonna be very exciting. In the tough moments, when so many people backing you, the next game is going to be exciting. It (scoop over fine leg) was a bit of funny moment, surprised myself there, I will send AB a text tonight and see what he thinks of it.