Record ton, final over hat-trick in thrilling Australia-India T20 opener

Australia and India have played out a spectacular T20 opener just four days after the Aussies snagged a record sixth ODI World Cup.

Cricket never sleeps. Just four days after the World Cup Final, Australia and India began a five-match T20 international series with one of the most thrilling matches you’ll ever see.

Josh Inglis matched Aaron Finch’s record for the fastest T20 century by an Australian, reaching triple figures in 47 deliveries on his way to 110 off 50 balls.

A half century from Steve Smith, who opened, was the other major contribution for the visitors, who reached 3/208.

India skipper Suryakumar Yadav (80 from 42) and Ishan Kishan (58 from 39) made light work of the chase to leave the hosts needing just 20 runs from the last three overs to win.

But Jason Behrendorff — who with figures of 1/25 from four overs was the only Aussie bowler not to concede more than 10 runs an over — removed Suryakumar in an 18th over that went for just six runs.

Nathan Ellis leaked just seven from the 19th over and India was starting to tighten up.

Sean Abbott started the 20th over in disastrous fashion as Rinku Singh flashed a boundary over point.

A leg bye from the second delivery left India two runs from the win — and that’s when it got wild.

Abbott removed Axar Patel caught and bowled before the hosts lost their heads. Back to back run outs from the next two deliveries – the second as Arshdeep Singh attempted to scramble home for a second — left scores tied with a ball to go.

Unfortunately Abbott overstepped — and Rinku Singh smacked the no ball over the long-on boundary anyway.

Sean Abbott takes a catch to dismiss India's Axar Patel. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

Abbott runs out Ravi Bishnoi to make it two in two balls. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

Abbott runs out India's Arshdeep Singh for the team hat-trick. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

Suryakumar was the difference in the end, smashing nine fours and four sixes on his captaincy debut for India as the hosts won with two wickets and one ball to spare and take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

It was India’s highest run chase in T20 cricket, surpassing their previous best of 208 against the West Indies in 2019.

“Very happy with the way the boys displayed the talent on the field. We were put under pressure, but the way everyone came back into the game, was great,” Suryakumar said of the win.

On his India leadership, Suryakumar said, “I think it’s a proud moment, whenever you play cricket, you think of representing India, it will take some time to sink in but very proud. ” Suryakumar’s 112-run third-wicket stand with Ishan Kishan proved key after the hosts lost their openers on 22.

Marcus Stoinis (0/36 from three), Ellis (0/44 from four) were punished and while they took wickets Abbott (1/43 from four), Tanveer Sangha (2/47 from four) and Matthew Short (1/13 from one) all bled runs.

Josh Inglis is locking down his spot in the Aussie team. (Photo by DIBYANGSHU SARKAR / AFP)

Short also failed with the bat – scoring 13 from 11 deliveries before being bowled – but it opened the door for a blistering partnership of 130 from 67 balls between Inglis and Smith (52 from 41).

Inglis raised his fifty off 29 balls and completed his hundred in record speed for an Aussie as he jumped and punched the air and the Australian dressing room stood up to applaud.

He finally fell to fast bowler Prasidh Krishna after his knock laced with 11 fours and eight sixes.

“Inglis played a terrific innings,” Australia skipper Matthew Wade said. “I was speaking to him if he wanted to go down, don’t think that will happen. A great knock.”

Australia rested many of their ODI stars — including Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell and Adam Zampa — as they plan for the T20 World Cup in June.

The second T20 is on Sunday in Thiruvananthapuram.

– with AFP