Kohli sets tone as India thump Australia in first T20

Earlier, Australia posted 5-140 courtesy of some Alyssa Healy fireworks with the bat in the opening match of the three-game series.

Both the sides had given their veterans a chance.

For India, Yuvraj Singh and Ashish Nehra’s comeback to the national squad have not been entirely surprising.

For India, pacer Jasprit Bumrah starred on his T20I debut by picking up three wickets for 23 runs, while another debutant, Hardik Pandya, bagged 2/37. Shaun Tait bowled consistently at 150 kms/hr but Sharma looked undeterred.

Rohit had slammed 31 off just 20 balls before he was the first batsman out in the fifth over.

The Australia captain had been asked to offer commentary ahead of the delivery which saw him miscue a drive to Virat Kohli at mid-off, prompting some discussion on social media about whether he had been distracted. The hosts were left stunned by Kohli’s fireworks on Australia Day as he smashed them to all parts of the ground during his unbeaten 55-ball 90, which incidentally is also the highest score by an Indian batsman against Australia in this format. Suresh Raina struggled to get going but did not give his wicket away. He was dismissed by James Faulkner for a 34-ball 41.

However, other reports also suggest that Kohli may have carried the grudge against Smith from the first innings, during which his opponent may have had a few words to tell him.

During India’s last tour of Australia, on day 4 of the first Test in Adelaide these two were at it as well.

“And when you’re looking at trying to restrict his scoring, the way he’s so good with his wrists it means he can just get it into gaps”.

Ashwin began in an expensive fashion, giving away 17 runs in the second over of the Australian innings.

After Smith’s dismissal Australia fell to 151 all out. Both Indian spinners, Ashwin with 2 for 28 and Jadeja with 2 for 21 were outstanding. And their record outside the World T20 isn’t particularly impressive, with 15 losses and 14 wins.

“It’s fine to have a little bit of banter when you’re out in the field, but when someone’s out I don’t really think that’s on”. “It was a good batting strip, the ball came nicely on to the bat, I could play my shots”.

“If you see the Aussie batting line-up, more often than not the only way you can beat them when they are chasing is by taking wickets”.

As such, since December 2006, when the Men in Blue first played a T20I against South Africa, they have only featured in 29 bilateral matches.

Finch said the Australians had no one but themselves to blame.