Sydney: An inspired India recorded their highest run-chase ever on Australian soil as they pulled off a dramatic last ball seven wicket victory in the third and final Twenty20 International to achieve a rare 3-0 clean sweep against the hosts, here today.
This is India’s second highest run-chase after they overhauled 202 against Sri Lanka at Rajkot back in 2010.
Suresh Raina (49 no) and comeback man Yuvraj Singh (15 no) kept their cool as they blasted the required 17 runs off the final over to chase down a mammoth target of 198 set by Australia riding on stand-in captain Shane Watson’s incredible 124 not out off 71 balls.
Rookie Andrew Tye was given the final over by Watson with 17 runs to get off the final over with a shaky Yuvraj batting for the first time in the series on strike.
He had scratched his way to 5 off 9 balls before whipping a delivery on the pads over fine leg for a boundary.
With 13 needed from five balls, it was vintage Yuvraj as he rocked back and smashed Tye over deep mid-wicket for a six to bring the equation down to 7 from four balls.
Yuvraj and Raina then scampered home for a single to make it 6 from three balls.
A couple of doubles from Raina made it two from the last ball as all the fielders were brought inside the circle.
The UP left-hander kept his cool as he slashed it over point and the Indian dug-out erupted in wild celebrations as the players rushed to the ground to congratulate the duo.
Raina’s 25-ball effort had half a dozen fours and a six.
However, a lot of credit should go to the in-form men Rohit Sharma (52, 38 balls) and Virat Kohli (50, 36 balls), who added 78 runs in 9.1 over.
Shikhar Dhawan’s smashing cameo of 26 from 9 balls also helped India get off to a rollicking start.
The T20 series turned out to be an ideal boost for the ‘Men In Blue’ ahead of the ICC World T20 in little over a month’s time in their own backyard.
India’s next assignment is in Pune against Sri Lanka on February 9. (PTI)
India now number one T20 side
SYDNEY: India today became the number one side in the ICC T20 rankings after whitewashing Australia in the three-match series here today.
India, who are also the number one in Tests, overtook the West Indies to reach the top sport in the shortest format. India have 120 rating points, two more than the Caribbean unit. Sri Lanka also have 118 rating points like the West Indies but they are third in the charts.
India have hit top form in the T20 format ahead of the World T20 to be held at home in March-April.
They had famously won the inaugural World T20 in South Africa in 2007.
England (117 rating points) are fourth in the rankings ahead of New Zealand (116), South Africa (115), Pakistan (113) and Australia (110), Afghanistan (80) and Scotland (66) round up the top-10.
score board
Australia innings
UT Khawaja c †Dhoni b Nehra 14
SR Watson* not out 124
SE Marsh b Ashwin 9
GJ Maxwell c Raina b Yuvraj Singh 3
TM Head b Jadeja 26
CA Lynn c Jadeja b Bumrah 13
CT Bancroft† not out 0
Extras 8
Total 197/5
India innings
RG Sharma c Watson b Boyce 52
S Dhawan c †Bancroft b Watson 26
V Kohli b Boyce 50
SK Raina not out 49
Yuvraj Singh not out 15
Extras 8
Total 200/3