T20 World Cup: India pulled off an unbelievable win in the first warm-up match against the world champions, Australia. The game took place at the Gabba in Brisbane, with Australia winning the toss and choosing to bowl first. India got a flying start but lost their way in the middle. In the end, they ended up scoring 186/7 in their 20 overs. However, at one stage, it looked like India might end up losing the game.
But some good death bowling performances and some brilliant fielding displays helped India clinch the game. The pace bowling, which had been suffering prior to this, has finally improved. On the other hand, India also dropped some chances in their recent games, but today it was a totally different performance on the field, led by the former Indian skipper, Virat Kohli. The 33-year-old took two catches and effected one brilliant run-out to change the course of the game.
T20 World Cup: Virat Kohli showed some “Superhuman” skills in his fielding
However, the match looked in the favor of Australia until the last two overs. They needed 16 runs off 12 balls, and they had six wickets in hand. It was once again the test of India’s death bowling, which had been looking off-the-mark in recent games. But this time, Harshal Patel and Mohammed Shami had some other thoughts. Harshal started the 19th over with the wicket of Aaron Finch, who was looking very dangerous at that time.
He was dismissed for 76 off 54 balls with seven fours and three sixes. But on the second ball, Virat showed why he is regarded as one of the fittest athletes in the world. On the second ball, Josh Inglis flicked the ball to the leg side and tried to run for a single. But Virat, who was fielding on that side, grabbed the ball with his right hand and hit the stumps with one go. That was a stunning piece of work by him.
Well, it was not it. In the very next over, Virat once again showed an incredible display of his athleticism. But this time at the boundary. Needing 11 runs off the last over, Shami came out to bowl. Australia managed two doubles on the first two balls. But on the third ball, Pat Cummins (7) tried to hit a ball to the long-on boundary for a six. He connected the ball pretty well, but the former Indian skipper came out of nowhere to grab a one-handed screamer.
After that wicket, Shami picked three wickets in the remaining three balls of the over, including a run-out. Eventually, Australia fell short by 6 runs of the target and got out for 180. Earlier in the match, KL Rahul (57 off 33) and Suryakumar Yadav (50 off 33) scored fifties for India. Now the Men in Blue will lock horns with New Zealand in their second practice game on Wednesday at the same venue.