Following their thrilling six-wicket victory at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium on Sunday night, the Rohit Sharma-led India not only defeated Australia in the T20I series at home 2-1; the hosts also achieved a special record by clinching their 21st T20I win in a calendar year — the most ever recorded by a team in men’s T20Is.
With 20 T20I victories in 2021, Pakistan had held the record up to this point.
As they put together a century partnership, Virat Kohli (63) and Suryakumar Yadav (69) were the masterminds behind the victory in the series-deciding match. India beat Australia’s 187/7 in 20 overs with just one ball remaining thanks to their efforts.
According to the ICC, this was also India’s 13th successful run chase in the format in 14 tries since 2021.
India matched Thailand’s women’s squad, which finished the year with 21 wins and four losses.
The tourists got off to a fast start thanks to Cameron Green (52) who created a record against India by reaching his half-century in just 19 deliveries. Australia appeared to be on track for a large total. Steve Smith (9) and Glenn Maxwell (6), two crucial wickets for Australia, were lost in rapid succession. David’s final strike helped the visitors amass a respectable total of 186/7.
India was reduced to 30/2, making their run chase a challenging one. India regained momentum thanks to a century partnership between Kohli and Suryakumar, but the task became more difficult after the latter was removed in the 14th over.
Kohli, who finished on 63 off 48 balls and needed 11 to win off Daniel Sams’ last over, smashed a six off the first delivery to bring the total to five runs needed off five balls. The next ball, though, saw Kohli go out, bringing the equation down to four runs needed from two balls.
India equaled the record and won the series after Hardik Pandya’s bat sent an edge for four through third baseman.
