Indian opener Ruturaj Gaikwad admitted the dew made it difficult for their bowlers to defend 222 runs against Australia in the third T20I at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati on Tuesday. India had the match under their grasp as Australia needed 100 runs in the last seven overs but Glenn Maxwell was able to turn the tables.
In fact, Australia needed 43 runs off the last two overs but Axar Patel and Prasidh Krishna were not able to able to execute their plans. Maxwell went on to score a majestic knock of 104 runs off just 48 balls with the help of eight fours and as many sixes as he took Indian bowlers to the cleaners. The all-rounder scored the joint-fastest T20I century for Australia, completing his hundred off just 47 balls.
Meanwhile, Ruturaj Gaikwad also scored a fine knock of 123 runs off just 57 balls with the help of 13 fours and seven sixes but his heroics went in vain. Gaikwad gave credit to Maxwell for his match-winning knock.
Gaikwad said in the post-match press conference, “I think Maxi batted really well, and to win from a situation where they needed 100 from seven, seven-and-a-half overs, and then 50 from three overs, it was a creditable innings from him.”
“Our bowlers tried executing what they had in their control, and the dew was making the ball slip, so it was tough for the bowlers as well. Even though we scored 230 in the last game, in between we felt the match will go till the last over, so with this kind of dew, these totals are bound to happen and bound to be chased.
“I don’t think death bowling is a concern. In these conditions, 12 runs an over, and even 13-14 runs an over is gettable. Even in the first game, we saw how easily we managed to chase 210. The conditions are slightly tougher for them so we have to accept that and move on.
Gaikwad revealed that the pitch got better in the second half of the first innings and thus he was able to score freely after settling at the crease.
“Initially I thought it was a bit tacky, the ball was stopping a little, and there was some movement in the air and off the pitch. The first two-three overs, the wicket was like that, and we lost two wickets in one over. It was important to stitch a partnership but after 7-8 overs the wicket got better.”
“You cannot tend to lose three wickets in the powerplay. Knowing that Surya was there [and] he will play his shots, my plan and the communication was simple – that I will bat for a short span of time and [then] take the innings on.”
The fourth T20I between India and Australia will be played at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur on Friday.
