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1st T20: Maxwell helps Australia edge out India
AFP
Last Updated IST
Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell celebrates after scoring a half-century during the first Twenty20 international cricket match between India and Australia at the Dr Y S  Rajasekhara Reddy ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. AFP photo
Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell celebrates after scoring a half-century during the first Twenty20 international cricket match between India and Australia at the Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. AFP photo

Glenn Maxwell hit a crucial half-century as Australia edged out India by three wickets in a thrilling last-ball finish at the first Twenty20 international on Sunday.

Pat Cummins hit a four and took two runs to complete a nervous 127-run chase after his fellow paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile restricted India to 126-7 in Visakhapatnam.

Maxwell, who made 56, put together 84 runs with D'Arcy Short for the third wicket to put Australia on course before Jasprit Bumrah hit back with three wickets.

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Bumrah got debutant Peter Handscomb caught behind for 13 and then bowled Coulter-Nile on the final ball of the 19th over to keep the game in the balance.

Jhye Richardson and Cummins -- both not out on seven each -- then kept their cool in the final six balls against Umesh Yadav to steer the Aussies home.

But the day belonged to Coulter-Nile who returned figures of 3-26 in his four overs, receiving the man of the match award.

Indian batsman K L Rahul, who returned to the side after a suspension for sexist comments during a controversial TV chat show appearance with Hardik Pandya, hit 50 off 36 balls.

His 55-run second wicket stand with skipper Virat Kohli, who made 24, gave India a brisk start but the hosts lost momentum after losing three quick wickets.

Adam Zampa got Kohli's prized scalp with his leg spin and Coulter-Nile claimed the wicket of Rahul to check India on a tricky pitch.

Veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni made an unbeaten 29.

The second match is in Bangalore on Wednesday.

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(Published 23 February 2019, 16:57 IST)