Story The Great Australian Rebuild | The T20I series is over.

Kohli stands alone in bowler dominated match in Melbourne

Aaron Finch would win the toss and send the Indians in on a cold night in Melbourne. Nathan Coulter-Nile, who was recalled for this match, would repay the faith as he would strike early with the dismissal of Rohit Sharma in a brilliant opening spell that saw him bowl 3 powerplay overs and concede only 8 runs. Shikhar Dhawan struggled to get away from as he would eventually be dismissed for 19 off 15 deliveries. This would bring Virat Kohli to the crease who alongside KL Rahul built a fantastic partnership that would take India to 2/95 off 11 overs. Adam Zampa as he so often does would provide the vital breakthrough as KL Rahul skied one to the captain at long on. After Rahul's dismissal, India would frequently lose wickets, with no other batsmen in the order able to break into double figures. This didn't stop Kohli however, who despite having no regular partner at the other end, would continue on his way, carrying his bat through the remainder of the innings and finishing on 73* (42) to set India up to a decent total of 8/169. For Australia, Tye and Stoinis would pick up 2 wickets, as well as Coulter-Nile who finished with fantastic figures of 2/15 off his 4 overs.

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Virat Kohli played a lone hand in India's middle order, with a fantastic 73*


In reply, Australia's chase started disastrously as 20 year old Khaleel Ahmed playing his 5th T20I would take 3 early wickets with Kuldeep also picking up 2, leaving Australia in a massive hole at 5/40. Alex Carey (21 off 16) and Ben McDermott (37 off 29) would attempt a resurrection of the innings, however there was just too much to do once Carey was caught behind off the bowling of Kumar. Andrew Tye (21 off 14) would partner McDermott to try and make a respectable attempt of the chase, but the damage was already fatal, and Australia would be bowled out in the 19th over for just 133. Khaleel Ahmed would finish with a brilliant 4/33 from his 4 overs and be awarded the Man of the Match award.

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India may have unearthed a new superstar in Khaleel Ahmed after his brilliant 4/33 in Melbourne

India win by 36 runs, and claim the series 2-0. The teams will now travel to Sydney for the final T20I, with Australia hoping to take something out of this series.


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Batsman and Zampa seal consolation win for Australia

Australia have dominated the 3rd T20 against India with a 61 run win in Sydney to avoid an Indian clean sweep of the series. Virat Kohli would win the toss and send the Aussies in, looking to take advantage of the vulnerable top order from last match. However D'Arcy Short and skipper Aaron Finch were fantastic as they smashed the Indians around, and when Finch (41 off 18) was dismissed the score was already 70 in just the 7th over. Chris Lynn (4 off 4) would again fail to make an impact, and Maxwell (16 off 9) was dismissed cheaply before disaster struck for India. Khaleel Ahmed the star of the 2nd match, would be seen limping off after the conclusion of his first over. This would leave India with no other bowling options, forcing the skipper to take the ball himself. This would allow Australia's middle order to be really quite aggressive and they particularly targeted leg spinner Kuldeep as he would be smashed for 56 off his 4 overs. Kohli's 3 overs would go for 31, which wasn't a horrible result considering Australia managed to pile on 209 from their 20 overs. McDermott (36 off 18) and Stoinis (32* off 15) were brilliant deep in the innings and the Indian batsmen needed to start very well to have any chance in the chase.

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D'Arcy Short and Aaron Finch celebrate their 50 run partnership on their way to a 70 run opening stand

Unfortunately that wasn't the case, as Sharma and Dhawan failed to get India off to a flyer, and were than dismissed in back to back overs to have India 2/43 at the conclusion of the powerplay. Virat Kohli (34 off 25) again attempted to lead the charge, but India's middle order failed to make any impact as Adam Zampa would tear through the middle order, dismissing KL Rahul, Risabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik to see India 5/78. The climbing run rate would see Kohli take on Maxwell's off spin, however a top edge to the man of the moment, Adam Zampa, at deep square leg would see his demise, and any realistic chance India had of chasing the total down. Jasprit Bumrah (16* off 17) and Krunal Pandya (28* off 20) would put together a 38 run partnership through the last 6 overs to make India's total somewhat respectable, taking the score to 8/148 as the innings was concluded. Australia seal a 61 run win, and the series finishes with a 2-1 victory for India.

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Adam Zampa appeals after striking KL Rahul on the pad, on his way to 4/24

This now leads us to the start of the red ball leg of the tour, with the first test in Adelaide. India will be looking to be the first Asian side in history to win a test series in Australia, and there is no better chance for this than now, with the depleted Australian side in complete transition.


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