Glenn Maxwell's unbeaten 104-run knock in 48 balls guided Australia to a five-wicket win over India on the last ball in the third T20I to keep them alive in the five-match series in Guwahati on Tuesday.
Maxwell fired four fours and a six in Prasidh Krishna's final over to take his side over the line and avoid a series win for the hosts. Maxwell's blistering knock was studded with eight sixes and as many fours.
Despite the poor effort from bowlers in defending 222, stand-in skipper Suryakumar Yadav backed his bowlers and said the dew factor made it difficult to get Maxwell out in the match.
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"The plan was to get Maxi out as quickly as possible. To defend 220 with so much dew, have to give something to the bowlers. Australia were always in the game. Told the boys we’ll try and get him (Maxwell) out quickly but it didn’t happen, it was insane. Axar is an experienced bowler, thought there’s always a chance for an experienced bowler even if it’s a spinner when there’s dew. Very proud of my boys," Suryakuar Yadav said in the post-match presentation.
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Australia captain Matthew Wade also played a cameo of 28* runs of 16 balls including three fours and a six.
Earlier, Ruturaj Gaikwad's maiden century steered India to 222/3 after being asked to bat first on the batting-friendly surface. Suryakumar struck 39 while Tilak Varma contributed an unbeaten 31 to take India to over 200 in the final overs.
India lead the series 2-1 and will face Australia in the fourth T20I in Raipur on Friday.