IND vs AUS, 2nd T20I: Perfect top order performance followed by Bishnoi's 3-fer gives India 2-0 lead

India and Australia, 2nd T20I: Rinku Singh's 31*, Yashasvi Jaiswal's 53, and Marcus Stoinis-Tim David's 81-run stand are top performances. India secured a commanding victory, defeating Australia by 44 runs and taking a 2-0 lead in the series.

India lead by 2-0 India vs Australia series (Photo: ©BCCI/Twitter)

Brief Scores: India 235/4 (Ruturaj 58, Jaiswal 53, Ellis 2/45) beat Australia 191/9 (Stoinis 45, Wade 42*, Bishnoi 3/32) by 44 runs.

Player of the Match: Yashasvi Jaiswal 53 (25)

Following a closely contested first T20I in Vizag, India's young team delivered another clinical performance at the Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. Fielding an unchanged side, India batted first after being inserted by Australia, who introduced experienced campaigners Glenn Maxwell and Adam Zampa into the lineup.

India’s young gun Yashasvi Jaiswal was adjudged the ‘Player of the Match’ for his blistering half-century. He was dismissed for 53 off 25, batting at a strike rate of 212. The young man did his job in the powerplay easing the pressure off the rest of the batting order. 

Talking Points: Strong top-order display from Indian batters

The highlight of the game was India's young top-order batters exhibiting a fearless approach, a trait emphasized before the series began. Players like Kishan, Jaiswal, and Gaikwad showcased this fearless attitude, marking a refreshing change for India in T20I cricket. The openers, led by Yashasvi Jaiswal, set the tone with a dynamic start, reaching 77 at the end of the powerplay. Despite a slight dip in scoring after Jaiswal's dismissal, Ruturaj and Ishan's partnership, along with Rinku Singh's explosive finish, propelled India to a formidable total of 235.

Australia had a strong start with 31 runs in the first 2 overs, but the introduction of spin in the powerplay disrupted their momentum, leading to the loss of three wickets for 53 runs. Although Stoinis and Tim David's 81-run partnership kept Australia in the game, Bishnoi's crucial wicket triggered a collapse, reducing Australia from 139/4 to 155/9. Wade's late cameo was not enough, and India secured a series-leading victory.

Read More: IND vs AUS, 1st T20I: Inglis ton goes in vain: SKY's 80 takes India home

Top 3 Performances from India vs Australia, game

Rinku Singh smashed 31 runs off 9 balls (Photo: ©BCCI/Twitter)

Rinku Singh's Explosive Finish

Rinku Singh, emerging as a new finisher for India, showcased his prowess once again. Coming in at the fall of Surya's wicket, Rinku immediately found his rhythm. In the penultimate over, he hammered Sean Abbott for 24 runs, finishing unbeaten on 31 off just 9 balls and contributing significantly to India's imposing total.

Read More: Suryakumar Yadav to lead India in 5-match T20I series against Australia

Yashasvi Jaiswal scored fifty against Australia (Photo: ©BCCI/Twitter)

Yashasvi Jaiswal's Blitz

Yashasvi Jaiswal's aggressive start in the 2nd T20I, with 53 runs off 25 balls, provided India with a solid platform. His stroke-filled innings, featuring 9 boundaries and 2 sixes, played a pivotal role in India's commanding powerplay score of 77. Despite a slower phase in the middle overs, Jaiswal's dominant batting set the stage for a massive total.

Read More: New selection panel makes some interesting decisions on India's T20I squad for WI tour

Stoinis and Tim David's Resilience

In a challenging situation for Australia, the partnership between Marcus Stoinis and Tim David stood out. Their brutal and hard-hitting 81-run stand for the 5th wicket revived Australia's hopes, showcasing resilience and determination in the face of India's total dominance.

Statistical Highlights from India vs Australia game

• Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad's 77-run opening stand is India's second-highest in T20Is against Australia.

• Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad's 87-run partnership for the 2nd wicket is India's highest in T20Is against Australia.

• With the wicket of Suryakumar Yadav, Nathan Ellis completed 150 scalps in all T20 cricket.

• India's total of 235/4 is their highest T20I score against Australia and the fifth-highest overall.

• The 81-run partnership between Marcus Stoinis and Tim David is the highest 5th wicket stand for Australia in T20Is against India.

• The match's aggregate score of 426 runs is the highest in India-Australia T20Is.

What's Next

India extends its lead in the 5-match series to 2-0, with the next game scheduled in Guwahati in two days.

Read More: CWC 2023, Final, IND vs AUS: Head's match-winning ton proves decisive; Australia get 6th title win