India smash Aussie bowlers for 235 in second T20

Steve Barrett | November 27, 2023

Australia’s World Cup hangover has continued with a ragged bowling display allowing India to plunder a mammoth 4-235 in the second Twenty20 at Thiruvananthapuram.

Ruturaj Gaikwad (58), Yashasvi Jaiswal (53), Ishan Khan (52) and Rinku Singh (31no off nine balls) – capitalised on the tourists’ waywardness with the ball on Sunday (Monday AEDT).

India’s total was their highest in T20s against Australia – surpassing their previous best 8-209 set three days ago at Visakhapatnam – and easily the best score at Greenfield International Stadium.

Australia bowled poorly in the powerplay before regularly losing control as the dew set in early, dishing up 12 wides and a no-ball via a chest-high full-toss from Glenn Maxwell.

Nathan Ellis (3-45) picked up three of the four wickets but was expensive in doing so, Sean Abbott’s three overs were dispatched for 56 and Australia’s three spinners were ineffective.

Jaiswal was the early aggressor, dominating India’s 1-77 powerplay, which was their best in T20s against Australia.

The 21-year-old opener welcomed Abbott to the bowling crease by going 4-4-4-6-6 to bring up his half-century inside the fourth over.

After Jaiswal miscued Ellis to Adam Zampa, Ishan Kishan took over and targeted Australia’s spinners.

He raised his 50 by walloping Tanveer Sangha for back-to-back sixes before slicing a wide, off-balance, one-handed shot to Ellis in the deep.

Gaikwad was the anchor of the innings, becoming the third Indian batter to move past 50.

Acting captain Suryakumar Yadav, game one hero Rinku and Tilak Varma all teed off at the death, Australia’s last two overs thumped for 45.