(Image source from: Twitter.com/BCCI)
India emerged victorious against Australia in the final T20I match in Bengaluru, thanks to an impressive bowling performance and Shreyas Iyer's determined batting. Opting to bat first, India scored 160/8 in 20 overs, and Australia could only muster 154/8 in response.
Iyer displayed his prowess by smashing 53 runs off 37 balls, receiving some assistance from Jitesh Sharma and Axar Patel in the middle overs. Sharma contributed a quick 24 runs off 16 balls, while Patel scored 31 off 21 deliveries.
Australia faced early setbacks as Mukesh Kumar and Ravi Bishnoi dismissed openers Travis Head and Josh Phillipe during the powerplay overs. Phillipe was removed by Kumar after scoring four runs off four balls, while Bishnoi clean bowled Head for 28 runs off 18 balls. At the end of the powerplay, Australia had accumulated 50/2. Bishnoi continued his excellent performance by dismissing Aaron Hardie for 6 runs off 10 balls in his next over.
In the earlier stages of the match, India started off strongly before Australia managed to break through and dismiss openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad within the powerplay overs. Jaiswal was dismissed by Jason Behrendorff after scoring 21 runs off 15 balls, while Gaikwad fell for 10 runs off 12 balls against Ben Dwarshuis. Dwarshuis then claimed the wicket of Suryakumar Yadav in the following over, sending the Indian captain back to the pavilion after scoring 5 runs off 7 balls.
Axar Patel has been recognized as the standout performer of the match, earning the prestigious Player of the Match title, while Ravi Bishnoi has been bestowed with the esteemed Player of the series accolade.