Guwahati, Nov 28 (UNI) A sizzling 57-ball 123 runs knock by opener Ruturaj Gaikwad took India closer to a series win against Australia in Match 3 of the 5-match T20I series at Barsapara Cricket Stadium here on Tuesday.
Gaikwad's pyrotechnics helped India post yet another daunting total as they managed to score 222/3 after being sent in to bat by Australia Captain Mathew Wade. He also became the first Indian batsman to notch up a T20I century against Australia.
The India opener paced up his innings magnificently. In his first 22 balls, he scored 22 runs at the strike rate of 10, but in the next 35 balls Gaikwad shifted gears, and plundered 101 runs at the strike rate of 288.57.
Gaikwad upped the ante after India reached 155/3 in 17 overs, by taking on Aaron Hardie, plundering 25 runs in the 18th and 30 in the final over, along side Tilak Varma who remained unbeaten with 31 off 24 balls.
Yashavi Jaiswal (6) and Ishan Kishan (0) departed early, falling to Jason Behrendorff and Kane Richardson as India were reduced to 24/2 in third over.
Suryakumar Yadav and Gaikwad steadied the ship and added a crucial 57 runs before the captain departed, but Gaikwad took control following that.
Soon after getting to his half-century, the graceful opener reached his record century in a jiffy.
In reply, Australia started off in a hurry, but lost three quick wickets. Aaron Hardie lost his wicket for 16, after he was caught by Ishan Khan off pacer Arshdeep Singh, after putting on 47 runs for the first wicket with Travis Head.
Head was next to depart top-edging one to Ravi Bishnoi at short fine leg off Avesh Khan in the sixth over. He made 35 from 18 balls with 8 boundaries. In the very next over, Bishnoi castled the middle stump of Josh Inglis for 10, reducing Australia to 73/3 in seven overs.
Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell are at the crease.
Earlier, Wade won the toss and elected to bowl first. He brought in Head, Behrendorff and Richardson, in place of Matthew Short, Sean Abbott and Adam Zampa.
India made one change by including pacer Avesh Khan, coming in for Mukesh Kumar who is getting married. UNI BDN