Fans around the world can expect another electrifying chapter in this storied rivalry, with both teams bringing their A-game to the Daren Summy Stadium
Anticipation for the historic match between Australia and India is building as the T20 World Cup 2024 enters its Super Eight stage. As both sides aim for a coveted semi-final position, the stakes are quite high. India's batting ability has frequently been at its best against Australia, a strong opponent. Let's examine the top five times in T20I history when Indian batting has raised the ante against Australia.
The second T20I of the 2023 India-Australia series witnessed a masterclass in death overs hitting. After a cautious start, India went into overdrive in the final seven overs, plundering a staggering 111 runs. It was a display of pure power-hitting, with Ishan Kishan, Rinku Singh, Suryakumar Yadav, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Tilak Varma taking turns to launch themselves into orbit.
Ishan Kishan in the frame flaunting India’s jersey
They peppered the boundaries with a combined ten sixes and five fours, leaving the Australian bowlers with little to no respite. This late surge effectively put the game to bed, as Australia fell well short of the mammoth 235-run target, succumbing by 44 runs.
India continued their run-scoring spree in Guwahati, with Ruturaj Gaikwad anchoring the innings with a magnificent 123-run knock. Gaikwad's knock was a display of controlled aggression.
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Gaikwad in attacking mode
However, on that particular night, the script had a different ending. Glenn Maxwell, fresh off a World Cup win, conjured up a match-winning century (104*). Australia chased down the seemingly imposing target of 222 with just two balls to spare, thanks to Maxwell's late flourish and some sloppy bowling by India in the death overs.
The series opener in Visakhapatnam was a nail-biting affair that encapsulated the drama and unpredictability of T20 cricket. Josh Inglis, fresh off World Cup glory, sent shivers down the Indian spine with a belligerent 110-run knock. However, India's newly appointed captain, Suryakumar Yadav, rose to the occasion with a captain's knock of 80 runs himself.
Yadav countered Inglis's aggression with his own brand of innovative strokeplay, keeping India on the hunt. The match went down to the wire, with India needing a single run off the last ball. Thankfully, Rinku Singh smashed a six-off no-ball to seal a thrilling victory for the hosts.
The 2022 series in India saw a different kind of fireworks display. In Mohali, a young Cameron Green, opening the batting for the first time in professional cricket, blitzed a 26-ball fifty.
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Cam Green steels the show
Green's knock laid the foundation for Australia's successful chase of 209 runs. While India had their moments with the bat, sloppy fielding and wayward death bowling proved costly, allowing Australia to clinch a crucial victory.
Rewind to 2013, and we witness a vintage Yuvraj Singh special. Back on the side after battling cancer, Yuvraj single-handedly revived India's chase in Rajkot. With MS Dhoni as his able partner, he chased down a target of 202 with just two balls to spare.
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Yuvi played a magnificent knock to cease the match
His knock of 77 runs off just 35 balls was a masterclass in power-hitting, reminding everyone of his match-winning prowess. Yuvraj rolled back the years with his trademark flicks off his pads and lofted drives over the covers, leaving the Australian bowlers with no answers.
