Maxwell mayhem powers Australia to five-wicket win over India, visitors stay alive in T20I series

Delhi: Glenn Maxwell pulled off another stunning one-man Houdini Act during a brutal unbeaten hundred that carried Australia to a five-wicket win over India in the third T20I here on Tuesday. Maxwell’s 104 off 48 balls (8×4, 8×6) helped Australia surge past India’s massive 222 for 3, built around Ruturaj Gaikwad’s maiden international hundred, a 57-ball 123, in the last ball of the match.

India encountered a shaky start while batting first, losing early wickets of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ishan Kishan. However, Suryakumar Yadav and Ruturaj Gaikwad steadied the innings, forging a 57-run partnership for the third wicket. Suryakumar Yadav contributed 39 runs before departing. Ruturaj Gaikwad continued his innings and established a significant partnership with Tilak Varma, surpassing his half-century in the process. Gaikwad’s acceleration was remarkable, reaching a century in just 52 balls. The final over, bowled by Glenn Maxwell, proved costly for the opponent, conceding 30 runs. India concluded their innings with an impressive score of 222/3, with Gaikwad remaining unbeaten at 123 off 57 balls. Tilak Varma contributed 39 runs in a noteworthy 141-run partnership with Gaikwad, achieved in just 59 balls.

Australia lost wickets frequently, Australia’s batters kept themselves within sights of the required run rate. It eventually ended up becoming almost a one-man show with Maxwell almost single-handedly keeping their run rate up while Marcus Stoinis struggled at the other end. Captain Matthew Wade also took time to get going but he eventually started ably assisting Maxwell in his assault. Maxwell finished off with a six and three fours off the last four balls of the match, finishing unbeaten on 104 off 48 balls while Wade was on 28 off 16.