In a commanding display of cricketing prowess, Team India outclassed Australia by 48 runs in the fourth T20 international at Raipur's Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium on Friday, taking a crucial 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
Batting Brilliance Sets the Stage
After being put into bat first, India posted a competitive 174/9 in their 20 overs. The innings was anchored by some exceptional middle-order batting that kept the scoreboard ticking despite regular wickets.
Rinku Singh emerged as the standout performer with his blistering 46 runs off just 29 deliveries, showcasing his finishing capabilities with four boundaries and two sixes. His innings provided the much-needed momentum during the death overs.
Support came from Jitesh Sharma (35 off 19 balls) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (37 off 28 balls), who laid a solid foundation at the top of the order. Australian bowlers Ben Dwarshuis and Jason Behrendorff claimed two wickets each, but couldn't contain the Indian batting onslaught.
Bowling Masterclass Seals Victory
The Indian bowling attack delivered an absolutely clinical performance, bundling out Australia for 126 runs in just 19.3 overs. The visitors never really found their footing against the disciplined Indian attack.
Axar Patel was simply magnificent with the ball, registering career-best figures of 3/16 in his four overs. His economical spell broke the backbone of the Australian batting lineup.
Deepak Chahar, making his return to international cricket, proved his worth with an impressive 2/28, while Ravi Bishnoi (1/17) and Avesh Khan (1/33) provided crucial support. The spin duo of Axar and Bishnoi combined to give away only 33 runs in their eight overs, creating immense pressure on the Australian batters.
Series Position and Looking Ahead
With this comprehensive victory, India now leads the five-match series 2-1, putting them in a commanding position heading into the final game. The win marks a significant comeback after losing the third T20, demonstrating the team's resilience and adaptability.
The series finale promises to be an exciting encounter as both teams will look to finish strong. For India, the continued emergence of young talents like Rinku Singh and the consistent performance of all-rounders like Axar Patel bodes well for the future of Indian cricket.
