India took a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20I series as they beat Australia by 44 runs in the second game on Sunday, November 26 at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram. After being put in to bat first, the Men in Blue posted a massive total of 235/4 in their allotted 20 overs riding on half-centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan.

In reply, Australia could only reach 191/9 in their allotted 20 overs with Marcus Stoinis top-scoring with 45 (25). The Indian bowlers came to the party as they shared wickets among themselves as Prasidh Krishna and Ravi Bishnoi picked three wickets each while Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel and Mukesh Kumar also picked one wicket each.

Also Read: ‘If you are a player who is instinctively aggressive, then you should remain that way’ – Abhishek Nayar on Yashasvi Jaiswal’s approach to the game

Let’s take a look at the talking points of the match:

1. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s blistering fifty inside powerplay

The 21-year-old continued his rapid rise in international cricket as he scored another quickfire half-century. Jaiswal completed his half-century off just 24 innings as he scored 53 (25) clobbering nine fours and two sixes in his innings and added 77 runs for the first wicket with Ruturaj Gaikwad off just 35 balls.

2. Ishan Kishan scores second consecutive fifty of the series

Kishan walked in to bat at number three and continued to take on the opposition bowlers after Jaiswal’s dismissal. He scored 52 off 32 balls smashing three fours and four sixes in his innings and added 87 runs off 58 balls with Gaikwad for the second wicket.

3. Prasidh Krishna and Ravi Bishnoi’s 3-fers

Ravi Bishnoi got the first strike for India as he dismissed Matthew Short in the third over of the innings. The wrist-spinner further got the prized scalp of last match’s centurion Josh Inglis (2 off 4). He returned in the 14^th over to dismiss a well-set Tim David (37 off 22) to break the dangerous 81-run stand between him and Marcus Stoinis. Bishnoi finished with figures of 3/32 in four overs while Prasidh Krishna also picked up 3/41 in four overs which included wickets of Steven Smith, Sean Abbott and Nathan Ellis.

Australia’s Coach, Andre Borovec, (speaking in Matthew Wade’s absence):

Was poor execution. We could have made some inroads in the first 6-7 overs. Was a fine line with the execution in these conditions. Just the execution. We are making the right decisions.

Winning Skipper, Suryakumar Yadav said:

The boys are not putting too much pressure on me. They are taking onus. I told them before, be prepared to bat first. There was a lot of dew. We talked to defend it later. When I saw Rinku came in to bat in the last game, the composure he showed was brilliant. It reminded me of someone(laughs). Everyone knows the answer(laughs again).

 

Player of the Match, Yashasvi Jaiswal (53 off 25), India said:

It was really special for me. I was trying to play all my shots. Was trying to be fearless. I was sure of my decisions. I have been told by Surya bhai and VVS sir to go and play freely. I have been asked to express myself. For me, what I think I can develop and not think about anything else. I am still learning. It was my mistake in the last game and said sorry to Ruturaj. Accepted was my mistake. Rutu bhai is so humble and very caring. I really worked on my fitness. I am trying to develop all my shots. The mental stuff is something I am working on. I believe in my practice sessions.