Washington and Arshdeep shine as India levels the series with a win

Washington and Arshdeep shine as India levels the series with a win

India vs Australia 3rd T20I: Arshdeep Singh's fiery comeback and Washington Sundar's late cameo powered India to a five-wicket win over Australia in Hobart, levelling the T20I series 1-1.

India made three changes for the third T20I against Australia, and all of them proved effective as the visitors leveled the series with a five-wicket win in Hobart. Tim David (74 off 38) and Marcus Stoinis (64 off 39) scored quick fifties, but Arshdeep Singh’s three wickets ensured Australia couldn’t reach 200, finishing at 186 for 6. In reply, India’s batters made useful contributions, with Washington Sundar’s unbeaten 49 off 23 balls and Jitesh Sharma’s 22 not out off 13 leading the team to victory with nine balls remaining.

Abhishek Sharma gave India a flying start, hitting a six over point off Xavier Bartlett and then smashing Sean Abbott for two fours and a six. Bartlett came back strongly in the next over and later caught Abhishek for 25 off 16 balls when he mistimed a pull off Nathan Ellis. Suryakumar Yadav hit two sixes, while Shubman Gill made 15 before being trapped lbw by Ellis. India reached 64 for 2 at the end of the powerplay.

Suryakumar fell for 24 after chipping one to cover, but Tilak Varma and Axar Patel kept the chase steady with a few boundaries. Ellis again struck by removing Axar for 17. Washington Sundar, replacing Kuldeep Yadav, immediately made an impact with a six and a four before going after Abbott, hitting two more sixes and a four in one over. Bartlett dismissed Tilak for 27, but Jitesh Sharma playing in place of Sanju Samson kept India going with a boundary, taking the score to 152 for 5 after 15 overs.

With 35 needed from the last five overs, Jitesh hit a clever scoop for four and Washington lifted Stoinis over the ropes for six. A dropped catch gave Jitesh another chance, and Washington added another boundary. He stayed unbeaten on 49 as Jitesh sealed the win with a four in the 19th over.

Earlier, India chose to bowl first, and Arshdeep Singh replacing Harshit Rana struck early, getting Travis Head out in his first over and Josh Inglis in the next. Tim David then attacked with a mix of fours and sixes and reached his fifty off 23 balls. Varun Chakaravarthy dismissed Mitchell Marsh and Mitch Owen in one over to pull things back for India.

David and Stoinis rebuilt with a 45-run stand before David was caught at long-off. Stoinis continued to attack and completed his fifty from 32 balls. Arshdeep returned to dismiss him in the final over, finishing with three wickets. Despite scoring 102 runs in the last 10 overs, Australia’s total of 186 wasn’t enough as India chased it down comfortably.

Brief scores: Australia 186/6 in 20 overs lost to India 188/5 in 18.3 overs by 5 wickets.