India vs Australia 1st T20 Match Highlights: Suryakumar Yadav Leads From Front As IND Beat AUS By 2 Wickets

Rinku Singh finishes it off in style. He smashes a six over long-on with a six as India win by 2 wickets and with 1 ball to spare. India lead 1-0. 

7 runs are required off the final over. Rinku Singh will be on strike as Sean Abbott will bowl the final over. 

This has almost become a cakewalk for India now. A clinical Suryakumar Yadav is a beast in T20Is. OUT!!! What a catch from Aaron Hardie. Sky was looking to launch it into the orbit but to no avail. He departs for 80(42). IND need 15 off 14 balls.

That is a wicket which was much needed at the moment for Australia. Ishan Kishan departs after a brilliant knock 58 (39). The required is pretty much in control. IND need 74 off 42 balls.

Australia have used a strategy on bowling it wide away from the batters' arc and keeping the speed slow as well. IND need 93 off 52 balls.

After a slow start from Ishan Kishan, he has drastically improved his run-rate with his hitting. On the other hand, Suryakumar Yadav has been at his imperious best so far. 

Excellent recovery from India with over to go in the powerplay. Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan have raised their game. Nathan Ellis brought into the attack. 

A good knock by Yashasvi Jaiswal comes to an end. That is how you play T20s. You have to take your chances in a 200+ run chase. Captain Suryakumar Yadav walks in. 

OH!!! What has happened in the middle? Big mix-up as Ruturaj Gaikwad falls on a diamond duck. Ishan Kishan is the new batter in. 

Mukesh Kumar has bowled a brilliant last over to do some damage control. Just 5 runs off the over with a no-ball as well. AUS 208/3 (20)

Prasidh Krishna gets the big wicket of Josh Inglis. Yashasvi Jaiswal took a good catch at backward square leg. Tim David is the new batter in. AUS 187/3 (18)

Maiden T20I hundred for Josh Inglis. What a knock from him! He has surprised the Indian bowlers with the onslaught. FOUR boundaries in the over. AUS 179/2 (17)

Finally, a wicket falls as Steve Smith departs courtesy of a good throw by Prasidh Krishna. However, Josh Inglis is still there as he approaches a ton. AUS 161/2 (15.5)

The effects of dew are already making it difficult for fielders in the outfield. Australia, on the other hand, are motoring along. Josh Inglis has batted at a strike rate of almost 200. 

Josh Inglis has been a revelation for Australia at number 3. He is nearing a half century soon. On the other hand, Steve Smith is taking his time in the middle. 

India have been poor in the field so far. The inexperience is evident on the field with catch drops and missed run-outs. India need a wicket soon. 

India have introduced both spinners - Axar Patel and Ravi Bishnoi inside the powerplay. DROPPED! Steve Smith has been dropped by Bishnoi. OUT!!! That is nicely bowled! AUS 31/1 (4.4)

Three boundaries in the over as Australia start on a high here in Vizag. Prasidh Krishna has erred in the length in the over and paid the price as well. 

Arshdeep Singh to start the proceedings of the match. Steve Smith, to take the first strike. Matthew Short is waiting from the non-striker's end.

We would have bowled first as well, looks a bit tacky and dew could come later. Always an opportunity for young players to play in India, just around 10-12 matches for the next WC and we're looking forward to it. Some WC guys are resting - Maxwell, Zampa and Head are not playing tonight.

We will bowl first. The wicket looks good, dew should come later and should make the pitch better. It's a little difficult, but there's always light at the end of the tunnel. Lots of positives and looking forward to the series. The guys have played a lot of franchise and domestic cricket, just told them to express and enjoy themselves. Washington, Shivam and Avesh are sitting out.

India won the toss and elected to bowl first. 

The T20 series against Australia also marks the beginning of an important phase, with 11 T20 International games scheduled before the IPL and the subsequent T20 World Cup. The upcoming months will be crucial for the emerging players to solidify their positions in the team and showcase their capabilities on the international stage.

Interim coach VVS Laxman's approach to the batting order will be crucial, considering the impending return of Shubman Gill for the series against South Africa. The series against Australia and the subsequent ones against South Africa and Afghanistan provide opportunities for the young talents to make a mark and secure their spots for the T20 World Cup.

With Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul not part of the T20 squad since the 2022 T20 World Cup, this series offers a real test for the selected players. The young guns will be up against a quality Australian pace attack, presenting a trial by fire for the relatively inexperienced players.

Australia, boasting of World Cup heroes like Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Adam Zampa, and Steve Smith, poses a strong challenge for the young Indian players. The T20 series serves as a platform for the national selectors to evaluate the squad for next year's ICC T20 World Cup.

The scars of the World Cup final defeat are undoubtedly deep, but as the captain of the side, Yadav aims not only to win the series but also to assess some of India's best young talents in T20 cricket. Players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, Tilak Verma, Jitesh Sharma, and Mukesh Kumar, who have recently made their international debuts, will face a stern test against a formidable Australian T20 side.

Suryakumar Yadav will lead a youthful Indian team against Australia in a five-match T20 International series, commencing shortly after the World Cup final defeat. The short turnaround of around 96 hours provides little time for introspection, as Yadav, known as 'SKY,' shifts his focus to his preferred format.

Hello and welcome to the live cricket coverage of match no. 1 of the 5-match T20I series between India and Australia here at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.