Canberra, December 4: India’s concussion substitute Yuzvendra Chahal picked up three wickets as India beat Australia by 11 runs in the first T20 International (T20I) at the Manuka Oval here on Friday.
Yuzvendra Chahal, who had replaced Ravindra Jadeja during Australia’s innings, returned figures of 3/25.
This was India’s sixth T20I against Australia on Australian soil. The two nations have met in 10 T20Is in Australia.
Ravindra Jadeja was unable to play as a bowler as he has sustained a hit on his head off a delivery by Australian pacer Mitchell Starc over the course of his unbeaten innings of 44 which came off 23 deliveries.
His replacement Yuzvendra Chahal claimed the crucial wickets of skipper Aaron Finch, Steve Smith and Matthew Wade to dent the Australian batting effort.
India’s rookie pacer T Natarajan also played a crucial role with figures of 3/30.
A half-century from KL Rahul and a late onslaught from Jadeja helped India post a total of 161/7. Rahul scored 51 off 40 balls.
In reply, Australia couldonly manage to post 150/7 in their 20 overs.
Brief scores:
India: 161/7 (KL Rahul 51, Ravindra Jadeja 44 not out; Moises Henriques 3/22) beat Australia: 150/7 in 20 overs (A Finch 35, M Henriques 30, Y Chahal 3/25, T Natarajan 3 / 30)
