India sealed the T20 series against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground as they beat the hosts by six wickets. Hardik Pandya with his glittering 42 off 22 balls was the key for the men in blue who were chasing a target of 195.
After winning the toss, the Indian captain chose to bowl first, which was a first in the series. Except for T Natarajan (4-0-20-2) who looks to be doing everything right, no other bowler was up to the task. The visitors also dropped plenty of catches which has been tough to digest for Indian fans this summer in Australia. All of that and stand-in skipper, Matthew Wade’s 58 off 32 balls coupled with vital contributions from Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, and Moises Henriques helped Australia finish at 194/5 at the end of 20 overs.
KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan started off the innings on a high note, which was then taken forward by captain Kohli and finished off by Hardik Pandya and Shreyas Iyer.
Twitterati had a slow and soft start to the game, but much like the format and the match, it finished on a breathtaking note.
There weren’t many positives for Team India in the field. T Natarajan was perhaps the only one. One of the big finds of IPL 2020, Natarajan has now taken seven wickets in his three games for India. Former SRH coach, Tom Moody had something to say about the left-arm pacer.
Hardik Pandya was named MOM, top innings but T. Natarajan 2/20 when a team makes 194 was the match winning performance in my view. #AUSvIND
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) December 6, 2020
It has been about three months since MS Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket. This was India’s first tour post the MSD era. And it couldn’t have been concluded without a cameo of India’s most successful white-ball captain.
"Not Dhoni, not quick enough like Dhoni!" 😂
Live #AUSvIND: https://t.co/L1KY15FYnb pic.twitter.com/IOC7NH2xgb
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 6, 2020
Virat Kohli looked in his element, yet another time in this series. The Indian captain scored 46 runs off 38 balls. But out of everything in his innings, one particular shot caught the eye. So was the approval of one fine gentleman who is known for the same shot.
😀👌👌👌👌@imVkohli
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) December 6, 2020
Indian women’s cricket team coach, WV Raman came up with a name for the shot.
Cricketers of yesteryears knew either an ice cream scoop they ate or a scoop they read in the newspapers. A scoop off a quickie for a six! Gob smacking!! #IndiavsAustralia @imVkohli https://t.co/2Qm9b5QA7f
— W V Raman (@wvraman) December 6, 2020
Hardik Pandya finished things off in style for India. In an ability that he has often displayed in the IPL. Former West Indies cricketer turned commentator, Ian Bishop took to Twitter to praise the Indian all-rounder.
Hardik Pandya is really priming himself into a top notch finisher. That is some serious power and poise.
— Ian bishop (@irbishi) December 6, 2020
Captain Virat Kohli didn’t shy away from having a conversation with Hardik about his magnificent innings and hitting. He was seen talking to the 27-year old just amidst the post-match presentation. Something which was captured and shared for the Twitterati to revisit.
Quick chat between @imVkohli & @hardikpandya7 about the captain’s admiration for his finisher’s bat-swing & the length of his sixes to the longest boundary of the ground today #ausvind pic.twitter.com/XRKz8EHKPj
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) December 6, 2020
But if only one tweet could suffice India’s comeback on this tour down under, it would, as usual, be courtesy of Wasim Jaffer.
#AusvInd https://t.co/TPjLgHAvO7 pic.twitter.com/xxAGUiyRuG
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) December 6, 2020