Australia avoids whitewash in T20, beats India by 12 runs

A fully packed Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday evening saw another close encounter between India and Australia. Matthew Wade and Mitchell Swepson saved the Aussies from a whitewash as their side beat India by 12 runs in the 3rd T20I. India won the series by 2-1, however, Tuesday’s loss ended their 10-match winning streak in the T20 format.

India pose for a photograph after winning the T20 cricket series between Australia and India at the SCG, Sydney, Tuesday, December 8, 2020 Source: AAP

Australia, after put in to bat first by Indian captain Virat Kohli, posted a huge total of 186-5 in 20 overs.

Australian opener Wade scored his consecutive half-century by hitting a brilliant 80 off 53 balls with 7 fours and 2 sixes.

Wade was well supported by Glenn Maxwell who played shots all over the ground and blasted 54 runs off 36 deliveries with 3 fours and 3 monstrous sixes.

For India, Washington Sundar impressed again by sending Australia's white-ball captain Aaron Finch to the pavilion in his first over.

He ended his spell by taking 2 key wickets off Finch and Steve Smith. T Natarajan and Shardul Thakur also bagged one wicket each.

---

Highlights:

• Australia beats India by 12 runs in 3rd T20 cricket match on Tuesday.
• India won the T20 series by 2-1.
• Hardik Pandya awarded Man of the Series award.

---

In reply, India was given an early blow by Maxwell who surprised Indian team by bowling first over of the inning. India got off to a bad start as K.L Rahul was sent back on his second ball.

After scoring a blistering half-century, Maxwell not only gave an early blow to India but also managed to bowl his first 3 overs with only 20 runs.

Shikhar Dhawan and captain Virat Kohli then held a 50-run partnership before the left-hander got dismissed by Mitchell Swepson in the 9^th over after scoring 28 off 21 balls.

Swepson then gave India two more quick shocks as he sent Sanju Samson and Shreyas Iyer back to the pavilion. Kohli and in-form Hardik Pandya then tried to revive the Indian innings.

Steve Smith given a lifeline after wicketkeeper K L Rahul misses an attempt at run out during the third T20 cricket match between Australia and India Source: AAP

At one point, it looked like that India might chase the target, but Pandya miscued a catch to the third man and managed to score only 20 off 13 balls.

Kohli then tried taking India home but the run rate was increasing as only one batsman was at the crease.

Kohli eventually got out after scoring 85 off 61 balls on Daniel Sams brilliant catch at the deep point.

The Indian side then could only reach 174-7 in 20 overs and lost the match by 12 runs.

Virat Kohli receives the T20 trophy as he bumps fists with Aaron Finch Source: AAP

Mitchell Swepson was awarded man of the match for his tight spell of 3 for 23 and Hardik Pandya was declared player of the series for his brilliant batting throughout the T20 matches.

This four-match Test series begins on December 17.

Tune into SBS Hindi at 5 pm every day and follow us on Facebook and Twitter