Xtra Time Web Desk: Virat Kohli and his team failed to replicate what MS Dhoni led India did in 2016, clean sweeping the T20I series against the Aussies at their own backyard. Aaron Finch’s men held their nerves to win the 3rd T20I by 12 runs to avoid a whitewash at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday. It also meant India’s unbeaten streak of nine games in T20Is came to an end despite claiming the series 2-1 courtesy of their back-to-back wins in the first two T20Is. Indian Captain Virat Kohli scored 85 runs but that was not enough as India fell short in the 187-run chase.
Kohli was let off thrice during his knock, courtesy some sloppy fielding. He was eventually caught by Daniel Sams off the bowling of Andrew Tye in the penultimate over. His 61 ball 85 was studded with 4 fours and three sixes. Kohli added 73 runs for the second wicket with Shikhar Dhawan (28) after KL Rahul was dismissed cheaply on a duck.
While Kohli continued his rampaging run on one end, India kept losing wickets at regular intervals on the other. Sanju Samson was once again removed cheaply without failing to make an impact as he gave away his wicket after scoring 10 off 9 balls. Shreyas Iyer was the next to depart and was dismissed on a first-ball duck to leave India reeling at 100/4 inside 13 overs.
Kohli then joined forces with Hardik Pandya (20) and the duo added 44 runs for the 5th wicket. The duo looked set to take India over the line in the run chase but Pandya’s dismissal in the 18th over derailed India’s chase. Mitchell Swepson was once again the standout bowler for Australia with his three-wicket haul for 23 in his 4 overs.
The focus now shifts to the four match test series which begins in Adelaide from December 17.