India beat Australia by 6 runs in the first warm-up match
IND vs AUS Match Highlights: The defending T20 champions Australia were defeated by Team India on Monday at the Gabba cricket stadium in their first warm-up game. The Men in Blue defeated the Australians by 6 runs after giving the hosts a 187-run target and bowling them out for 180 in 20 overs.
Australia started off pretty well
Aaron Finch and his partner Mitchell Marsh put up a 41-run opening stand to give Australia a great start in the chase. The Australian captain even reached fifty, putting up 76 off of 54 balls, which included 3 sixes and 7 fours. However, his efforts were unsuccessful since the Australian middle order failed to repel the Indian attack.
Amazing Fielding performance
The outstanding fielding of Virat Kohli aggravated Australia’s issues. Although he may not have batted all that well, he did change the game in India’s direction with a powerful direct hit and a one-handed miracle catch near the long-on boundary.
Tim David’s Run-out
The run-out of Tim David in the 19th over marked the first game-altering event. In order to go for a run, Josh Inglis tucked a fuller delivery from Harshal Patel to the right of mid-wicket. Tim David reacted as he should have, but Kohli’s blazing pace outran him. The former captain of India promptly took up the ball and struck the target in the keeper’s end. Replays confirmed David was much outside of his crease as he left the field immediately following Harshal’s removal of Finch.
Virat Kohli’s One-hand stunner
If Kohli’s spectacular throw wasn’t impressive enough. He astounded everyone in the next over by taking a one-handed screamer close to the long-on boundary. Before the ball could cross the boundary after being lofted by Shami for a full-length delivery from Pat Cummins. Kohli leaped perfectly to grab it single-handedly. His catch was so incredible that the Australian dugout applauded it.
Shami’s Wonderful Last over
Mohammad Shami, who recently joined the Indian team as Jasprit Bumrah’s replacement, outshone the Australian tails with 11 runs required off the final over. He struck out four successive times to remove the Australians after giving up four runs in the first two deliveries. The world champions Australia stunned by his one and only over bowled during the practice game.
What’s next for India
India will now face New Zealand for the second and final warm-up game on 19th October (Wednesday). After that India will face Pakistan in the first match of the T20 World Cup in Melbourne on 23rd October (Sunday).
