Team India defeated Australia by 11 runs in the first of three T20 Internationals at the Manuka Oval in Canberra. Australia skipper Aaron Finch won the toss and opted to bowl, with the visitors posting a total of 161 runs for the loss of seven wickets. KL Rahul was the highest run-scorer, accumulating 51 runs off 40 deliveries. The wicketkeeper-batsman registered his 12th half-century in T20Is, during the course of the innings. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was the second-highest run-getter, smashing 44 runs off 23 balls. Jadeja's knock comprised of five boundaries and a six. Moises Henriques was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts, accounting for three wickets while conceding 22 runs. The chase started off on an attacking note with Finch smashing the ball to all corners of the ground. However, the Australian skipper's dismissal helped Team India make a comeback in the game. Yuzvendra Chahal, who came in as a concussion substitute for Ravindra Jadeja, made a decisive impact, accounting for Finch's dismissal before sending back Steve Smith early. Chahal received support from left-arm pacer T Natarajan who made his presence felt on debut. The duo finished with three wickets apiece, to help India register a win which seemed unlikely at one stage. (SCORECARD)
1st T20I Highlights Between Australia (AUS) vs India (IND), Straight From Manuka Oval, Canberra
India win by 11 runs
Australia need 27 runs from the final over
WICKET! Mitchell Starc b T Natarajan 1 (2)
Australia need 35 runs from 12 deliveries
WICKET! Moises Henriques lbw Deepak Chahar 30 (20)
WICKET! Matthew Wade c Virat Kohli b Yuzvendra Chahal 7 (9)
WICKET! D Arcy Short c Hardik Pandya b T Natarajan 34 (38)
100-up for Australia
Australia need 77 runs in 48 balls
WICKET! Glenn Maxwell lbw T Natarajan 2 (3)
WICKET! Steve Smith c Sanju Samson b Yuzvendra Chahal 12 (9)
WICKET! Aaron Finch c Hardik Pandya b Yuzvendra Chahal 35 (26)
Virat Kohli drops D Arcy Short
50-up for Australia following boundary by Aaron Finch
T Natarajan into the attack
Yuvendra Chahal replaces Ravindra Jadeja on field as a concussion substitute
Expensive start by Deepak Chahar
Aaron Finch and D Arcy Short ready to start the chase of 162
India finish with a score of 161/7 in 20 overs
WICKET! Washington Sundar c Sean Abbott b Mitchell Starc 7 (5)
Moises Henriques drops Ravindra Jadeja
150-up for Team India
Ravindra Jadeja struggling with his hamstring
WICKET! Hardik Pandya c Steve Smith b Moises Henriques 16 (15)
India in trouble at the end of 15 overs
WICKET! KL Rahul c Sean Abbott b Moises Henriques 51 (40)
WICKET! Manish Pandey c Josh Hazlewood b Adam Zampa 2 (8)
WICKET! Sanju Samson c Mitchell Swepson b Moises Henriques 23 (15)
Half-century for KL Rahul
KL Rahul holds the key for Team India
WICKET! Virat Kohli c&b Mitchell Swepson 9 (9)
India off to slow start
WICKET! Shikhar Dhawan b Mitchell Starc 1 (6)
Josh Hazlewood maintains the pressure on Team India
Strong start by Mitchell Starc
Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul are ready to start the Indian innings
Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the opening T20I
Aaron Finch has won the toss
Mitchell Starc explains why he loves T20 cricket
Toss just a few minutes away!
T Natarajan to make his T20I debut
India Cricket Team
Australia Cricket Team
Virat Kohli
Aaron Finch