In a thrilling finale at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday, India secured a remarkable victory against Australia in the fifth and final T20I match, clinching the series 4-1. The heroics of pacer Arshdeep Singh, defending nine crucial runs in the last over, turned the tide in India's favour.
Arshdeep Singh, brought into the squad as a replacement for Deepak Chahar, showcased resilience by conceding only three runs and dismissing Australia's skipper Matthew Wade. This remarkable turnaround came after Shreyas Iyer's impressive half-century and a late onslaught by Axar Patel set the stage for India's triumph.
Australia, chasing a modest target of 181, seemed on course at 128/5 in the 17th over. However, India's bowlers staged a brilliant comeback, restricting the visitors to 154/8 in 20 overs. Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, and Ravi Bishnoi played pivotal roles in dismantling Australia's batting lineup.
Ben McDermott's valiant 54 and partnerships with Tim David and Matthew Short posed a threat, but India's bowlers held their nerve. Mukesh Kumar claimed 3-32, while Ravi Bishnoi and Arshdeep Singh took two wickets each. Axar Patel continued his impressive form, finishing with figures of 1-14.
Earlier, India, batting first, posted a competitive total of 160/8. Shreyas Iyer's quickfire 53, complemented by valuable contributions from Jitesh Sharma and Axar Patel, helped India recover from an early collapse. Despite losing early wickets, Shreyas and Jitesh formed a crucial partnership for the fifth wicket, followed by a dynamic collaboration between Shreyas and Axar for the sixth wicket.
Having already secured the series in the previous match, India showcased depth and determination, finishing the T20I series on a high note. The victory was a testament to Arshdeep Singh's comeback, Shreyas Iyer's batting prowess, and the collective effort of the Indian bowling unit.
Brief scores:
India 160/8 in 20 overs (Shreyas Iyer 53, Axar Patel 31, Jitesh Sharma 24; Jason Behrendorff 2-38, Ben Dwarshuis 2-30)
Australia 154/8 in 20 overs (Ben McDermott 54, Travis Head 28; Mukesh Kumar 3-32, Ravi iBishnoi 2-29, Arshdeep Singh 2-40)
