Tactical game of T-20 cricket saw Team India emerging as a major force in the shortest form of the game. Despite Shane Watson making 124 of 71 balls with 10 fours and 6 sixes, Indian Team surpassed an imposing 197 runs total in the last ball win and made sure that they touched the top spot on the eve of T-20 World cup in India. The Team from the sub-continent had all the experience to outplay Australia in their own den thus brushing aside the 1-4 one day loss and won with a vengeance to sweep the series.
All the Indian batsmen hit atleast one six and contributed to make the dream come true, whereas Australia solely depended on its skipper Shane Watson. The star players Smith and Warner left the T-20 series half way and they touched Kiwi Island thus depleting the side to face a humiliating loss. But for Finch and the stand in skipper Watson none of the other Australians deserve a place in the Kangaroo side. Australian fielding suffered most as Suresh Raina got a life when he survived a stumping chance which proved to be a turning point as the left hander stayed till the end to force a win of the last ball. It was a terrific turn around after the earlier hiccups. T-20 triumph did a world of good for our sagging spirits after the early losses. Kudos to Team India for a record breaking win in a nail baiter.
Jayanthy Maniam
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
