Hardik Pandya steers India to T20 series win against Australia
Hardik Pandya (L) and teammate Shreyas Iyer celebrate the victory as Daniel Sams (R) reacts during the second T20 match at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday. AFP
Gulf Today Report
Majestic all-rounder Hardik Pandya smashed two sixes in three balls to propel India to a series victory with win in the second T20 against Australia on Sunday.
Chasing a mammoth target of 195, India went over the line for the loss of just four wickets in a thrilling finish with two balls to spare.
Needing 25 off the last two overs, Hardik smacked some powerful stroke as India took an unassailable lead in the three-match series.
India brought the equation down to 14 needed off the last over, Hardik hit two sixes on the second and fourth delivery to put the doubt to rest and hand India the T20 series.
With the victory, India have managed their keep their stellar run in the T20s in Australia. In head-to-head record in Australia, India have won seven, Australia four while one ended in a draw.
Pandya finished with 42 off 22 balls after Shikhar Dhawan clubbed 52 from 36 and skipper Virat Kohli 40 off 24 in India's successful pursuit of the huge target.
The victory gave India the T20 series with a game to play in Sydney on Tuesday after they lost the preceding 50-over ODI series 2-1.
Dhawan and Rahul gave India a flying start and added 56 runs for the first wicket in five overs before the latter was caught in the deep for 30 off 22.
Swepson then took a safe skied catch of Dhawan, who tucked into leg-spinner Adam Zampa on 52 in his 36-ball stint with four fours and two sixes.
Earlier, new skipper Matthew Wade and Steve Smith hit half-centuries to lift Australia to 194 for five.
Wade — who was promoted to the captaincy instead of an injured Aaron Finch — smacked 58, while Smith chipped in with a breezy 46 after India won the toss and opted to bowl.
