Team India, on Friday (December 1), defeated Australia by 20 runs in Raipur to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the ongoing five-match T20I series.
After failing to defend 222 runs in the third T20I, Team India bounced back in style to get back to winning ways and clinch the series with one match left. The Men in Blue were asked to bat once again after captain Suryakumar Yadav lost the toss. Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad added 50 runs for the first wicket before the hosts lost three wickets in quick time.
At one stage, the home team was reeling at 111 for 4 before a 56-run stand between Rinku Singh and Jitesh Sharma steadied the ship. Rinku top-scored for the team, scoring 46 runs off 29 balls, while Jitesh scored 35 runs off 19 balls as India finished at 174/9. For Australia, Ben Dwarshuis took 3 wickets for 40 runs.
In response, Australia finished with 154/7. After openers Matthew Short and Travis Head added 40 runs for the first wicket, the visitors continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. India’s spin duo of Ravi Bishnoi and Axar Patel did not let Australia off the hook as they combined to concede just 33 runs in 8 overs and took 4 wickets. For Australia, Matthew Wade’s 36 was the best effort with the bat.
India breaks Pakistan’s record:
The victory not only clinched the series for Team India but also marked an important milestone for them. They have now overtaken Pakistan in the list of most wins by a team in T20Is. The victory was India’s 136th T20I victory in 213 matches.
On the other hand, Pakistan has 135 wins in 226 games in the shortest format of the game. India and Pakistan are two of only three teams to have reached the 100-win mark in T20Is. New Zealand is third on the list with 102 wins, followed by Australia and South Africa with 95 wins each. England have won 92 T20Is so far.
Teams with most T20I wins:
- India – 136
- Pakistan – 135
- New Zealand – 102
- Australia – 95
- South Africa – 95
- England – 92