- By Ankit Bisht
- Fri, 24 Nov 2023 10:02 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Suryakuar Yadav-led India defeated Australia by two wickets in the first T20I of the five-match series in Visakhapatnam on Thursday. Chasing 209, Suryakumar smashed 80 studded with nine fours and four sixes while Ishan Kishan hammered 58 including five sixes and two fours.
However, Rinku Singh's unbeaten 22-run cameo off 14 balls sealed victory for India on the last ball to lead the series 1-0. After the match, the stand-in skipper Suryakumar lauded Rinku's knock adding that the situation was 'tailor-made' for him to perform.
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"We’ve been in such situations many times in franchise cricket, just told Ishan to enjoy himself. We knew what was going to happen. I left the luggage of captaincy in the dressing room. I try to enjoy my batting. The atmosphere was amazing, thanks to the crowd. Was great to see how the boys kept their nerves. Was great to see Rinku, the situation was tailor-made for him. He was calm and collected, calmed me down a little bit. Incredible achievement from the bowlers to restrict them to this total after the 16th over," he said in the post-match presentation.
A nail-biting finish but plenty of pleasant faces in and out of the dressing room in Vizag 😃👌
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 24, 2023
Some BTS from #TeamIndia's win against Australia in Vizag 📽️🏟️#INDvAUS | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/TL67wcXavQ
India won the toss and invited Australia to bat first on the batting wicket. Josh Inglis' 110-run innings coupled with Steven Smith's 52 guided them to 208 but Suryakumar felt the target would have been more if bowlers did not do well in the final overs.
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"Very happy with the way the boys played. Was very happy with their energy, we were put under pressure but the way everyone showed up was amazing. It’s a proud moment, very proud moment, everytime you play, you think about representing India but coming out here and captaining India is a big moment," he said.
"Thought there will be a little bit of dew but there wasn’t. It isn’t a big ground and I know batting will get easy. Thought they might get 230-235 but the bowlers did really well. Just enjoy and express yourself," Suryakumar added.
The second T20I between India and Australia will be played in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, November 26.