Australia made a comeback in the T20I series against India as they beat the hosts by five wickets in the third T20I on Tuesday, November 28 at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati. After being put in to bat first, India posted a massive score of 222/3 riding on a spectacular hundred from Ruturaj Gaikwad.

In reply, Australia chased down the target on the last ball of the match as Glenn Maxwell scored another scintillating hundred. Courtesy of their win, Australia are now 1-2 behind in the five-match series with the fourth T20I scheduled to be played on December 1 in Raipur.

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

1. Ruturaj Gaikwad’s first T20I hundred

The opening batter lost his partner Yashasvi Jaiswal early in the innings and got involved in a 57-run stand with Suryakumar Yadav to stabilize the innings. Notably, the 26-year-old was batting on 21(21) and quickly shifted gears after Suryakumar’s dismissal. He went on to play a breathtaking innings of 123* (57) smashing 13 fours and seven sixes and became the first Indian batter to score a T20I hundred vs Australia.

2. Glenn Maxwell shines once again in the run chase

The swashbuckling Maxwell walked to the crease with a clear intent of taking on the Indian bowlers as wickets kept falling at the other end. He played a remarkable knock of 104* off 48 balls smashing eight fours and as many sixes during his knock. Notably, he also registered the joint fastest hundred by an Australian batter (47 balls) along with Aaron Finch and Josh Inglis.

3. Jason Behrendorff’s economical spell

In a match, where scores of 220 were breached in both innings, Behrendorff was the standout performer with the ball as he bowled a magnificent spell of 1/12 in four overs. The left-arm seamer also bowled a maiden over and conceded runs at an economy of 3 runs an over.

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Winning Captain, Matthew Wade, Australia said:

You don’t get much better than that. It was hard work. Injury to Kane (Richardson) threw a spanner in the works and had to bowl Maxi in the last over. He played brilliantly, got a 100 in his 100th T20I. Wouldn’t say I was confident, I was a bit grumpy going in at the halfway mark. Thought we were in the game at 190 after the 19th over but the last over went for 30. Richardson hurt himself so I was one over short. All in good fun in the end, Maxi probably wouldn’t have got a 100 if he didn’t toss up 30 in that over. The boys are in good spirits, hopefully we can pinch another one in the next game and take it down to the last game.

Losing Captain, Suryakumar Yadav, India said:

The plan was to get Maxi out as quickly as possible. To defend 220 with so much dew, have to give something to the bowlers. Australia were always in the game. Told the boys we’ll try and get him (Maxwell) out quickly but it didn’t happen, it was insane. Axar is an experienced bowler, thought there’s always a chance for an experienced bowler even if it’s a spinner when there’s dew. Very proud of my boys.

Player of the Match, Glenn Maxwell (104* off 48), Australia said:

 It all went pretty quickly. It was hard work for them to bowl yorkers with so much dew. We didn’t really have a number in mind. Knew we would be in the game if we could take it down to the final over. Wade had to be out there to cash in with Axar having one over left towards the end. Wade was brilliant out there, the way he went helped me as well.