Pandya sets up summer for India

Six-hitting machine Hardik Pandya seized back momentum for India heading into next week’s first Test, as Australia’s decision to rest Pat Cummins was questioned at the SCG.

Hardik Pandya takes the game away from Australia at the SCG on Sunday night. Picture: Getty Images

Six-hitting machine Hardik Pandya seized back momentum for India heading into next week’s first Test, as Australia’s decision to rest Pat Cummins was questioned at the SCG.

After getting dusted up by Australia in the first two ODIs, India has now won three straight matches including Sunday night’s dramatic six-wicket triumph, which secured them the Twenty20 series.

Australian debutant Daniel Sams stepped up to claim the key wicket of Virat Kohli (40 off 24) in the 17th over to turn the match in the home side’s favour, only to be smashed for two sixes in the final over by finisher extraordinaire Pandya, who scored a stunning 42 not out from 22 balls.

Matthew Wade produced a brilliant captain’s knock to justify his elevation as skipper, but in the end Australia paid the price for being undermanned — with six of their first-choice superstars missing.

Indian captain Virat Kohli sweeps for six during at the SCG. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Josh Hazlewood (back soreness) and Aaron Finch (glute tear) joined a massive unavailable list for Australia, which already included David Warner (groin), Ashton Agar (calf), Mitchell Starc (compassionate leave) and Cummins (rested).

However, Australia may now regret their decision to rest their best fast bowler, Cummins, following the run of personnel dramas they have been dealt. The T20 series is over before the gates could even be thrown open for game three, which can host the first 100 per cent capacity crowd in NSW since the start of the pandemic.

Sams was working at an F45 gym two years ago, but on Sunday night he out-muscled Kohli for a memorable first wicket at international level.

But Twenty20 cricket is an unforgiving format, and Pandya picked off the 14 required in the final over as India seized on Australia’s inexperience.

Sams finished with figures of 1-41 and Andrew Tye 1-47, ramming home just how much Australia missed their all-star trio of Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood.

There was nothing Australia could do about the last two, but Cummins could have played if not granted early leave from the squad to rest.

Under strict biosecurity laws a player can’t be called back unless he isolates for three days, so Australia may well have been caught unawares after the late news with Starc and Hazlewood.

Australian coach Justin Langer has already stated fans and broadcasters may be unhappy by certain decisions this summer, as the national set-up makes no apology for prioritising the wellbeing of players dealing with the unusual circumstances of life in the bubble.

Hardik Pandya takes a catch on the boundary. Picture: AFP

Wade sets tone for big Aussie score

Matthew Wade played a superb captain’s knock before Marcus Stoinis helped power 17 runs in the last over as Australia’s new finisher.

Matthew Wade leads by example at the SCG on Sunday night. Picture: Getty Images

Australia finished their 20 overs 5-194 after India had won the toss and sent them in at the SCG.

Wade was brilliant in his first match as Australian captain, smashing 10 fours and a six on his way to 58 off 32, but it all ended in disaster.

The Tasmanian skied a top edge into the infield, only for it to be inexplicably dropped by Virat Kohli.

However, neither Wade or Steve Smith were really paying attention and Wade was stranded mid-pitch, run out by Kohli at the keeper’s end.

It was a major blow to Australia and likely cost them a chance to post a total of 200 plus on a good batting wicket.

Smith carved out an expert 46 off 38 balls, and Moises Henriques also batted well to post 26 off 18.

Stoinis is more suited to the top of the order but produced some good late hitting (16 not out off 7) to help Australia to a competitive target.

Indian paceman Deepak Chahar appeals for leg-before-wicket as Steve Smith indicates where the ball actually hit him at the SCG on Sunday night. Picture: AFP