India’s top order put on an impressive performance to secure a 44-run victory over Australia, giving the home side a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20 series in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.
India’s top three batters delivered rapid fifties, helping the hosts to reach a formidable total of 235-4 after being put in to bat at the Greenfield International Stadium.
Despite a top-order collapse, Australia was unable to fully recover and could only manage a score of 191-9 in their reply.
Both India and Australia fielded second-string squads for the T20 series, following Australia’s recent victory over India in the 50-overs World Cup final earlier this month.
The opening pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal (53) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (58) got India off to a fantastic start with a blistering 77-run stand, after Australia captain Matthew Wade elected to field.
The tempo was further increased by Ishan Kishan (52) towards the end, with Ringku Singh contributing an impressive 31 not out off just nine deliveries as India added 111 runs in the last seven overs, displaying a remarkable showcase of power-hitting.
Australia struggled early on in their chase, finding themselves at 58-4 in the eighth over before Marcus Stoinis (45) and Tim David (37) were able to stop the slide.
Despite a resilient 42 not out from Wade towards the end, Australia fell well short of their target.
The series will now move to Guwahati for the third ODI on Tuesday.
(Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in New Delhi; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
