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India set to tour Bangladesh for white-ball series in August

15 Apr 25

Glenn Maxwell almost single-handedly led an extraordinary run chase from Australia as they beat India by five wickets.

A century from Ruturaj Gaikwad helped India put up a score of 222/3. While Australia lost wickets frequently, Australia's batters kept themselves within sights of the required run rate.

It eventually ended up becoming almost a one-man show with Maxwell almost single-handedly keeping their run rate up.

“You don't get much better than that (the chase). It was hard work getting those 20 overs out and obviously getting the injury late to Kane threw a spanner in the works for the last few overs. It was always going to take our best and [Maxwell] one of the best players that's ever played T20s for Australia played his 100th game and got a hundred, so pretty special for him. I wouldn't say "confident" was on my mind, but we knew here we can bat in chases. When we had five overs left but unfortunately Kane Richardson hurt himself so we were one short and had to bowl Maxi,” captain Matthew Wade said.

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“We really needed this win and a lot of guys are heading home so a chance for the younger ones and hopefully we can take it to the decider with another win. I wouldn't say "confident" was my first thought (to chase 222), but I was pretty grumpy after handing Maxi the last over; before that one went for 30 I thought we were right in the game but unfortunately that one went for 30 and I was more grumpy than confident. Tim David was speaking about being three down that you can bat in chases here and it's hard to hold the ball so we got it done today,”

“When we had five overs left (while bowling), but unfortunately Kane Richardson hurt himself so we were one short and I was hoping we can get a wicket at some stage in those last four overs and then Maxi could get that over out but unfortunately we didn't get a wicket and managed to go for a few runs but all in good fun. Maxi wouldn't have got that hundred if he hadn't tossed those 30 anyway. We really needed this win and a lot of guys are heading home so a chance for the younger ones to learn how to play in India. Hopefully we can take it to the decider with another win in the next game.” he added.

The tourists have made wholesale changes to their squad midway into the series with Steve Smith and Adam Zampa back home.