Australia shatter India’s dream of clean sweep

Gulf Today Report

Despite a fighting fifty by Indian captain Virat Kohli, Australia managed to beat the visitors by 12 runs in the third T20 match on Tuesday.

With the victory, Australia shattered India’s dream of a clean sweep after having taken an unassailable lead of 2-0 in the three-match series.

Last time India whitewashed Australia in their den was in 2016 under the leadership of MS Dhoni.

Kohli blasted 60-ball 85 but failed to take India over the line as he fell to a sensational diving outfield catch by Daniel Sams 11 balls from the finish.

Before a raucous crowd of over 30,000 -- with attendance limits lifted in new Covid-19 protocols by the New South Wales state government -- Australia set India a fighting 187-run target to chase.

But India failed to emulate their batting show at the Sydney cricket Ground two nights ago when they sealed the T20 series.

Matthew Wade smacked his highest T20 score and an eventful Glenn Maxwell half-century lifted Australia to 186 for five after India had won the toss.

Maxwell had a night out. He survived two reviews, was caught off a no-ball and finished with three sixes before he was out for 54 off 36 balls.

Wade put on 90 with Maxwell for the third wicket before he was leg before wicket to Shardul Thakur for 80 -- his highest T20 score -- off 53 balls with seven fours and two sixes.

Maxwell got rid of KL Rahul with his second delivery in India's innings. But Smith dropped Kohli on nine in Maxwell's next over in what could have been a major turning point.

Sams took a superb diving catch in the deep to dismiss Shikhar Dhawan for 28 off leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson in the sixth over. Smith caught Samson for 10 off Swepson. Swepson finished his final over with the wicket of Shreyas Iyer, lbw for a first-ball duck to finish with three for 23. He was named man-of-the-match.