India vs Australia 2019: 3 talking points from the nail-biting first T20I

The first T20I between India and Australia at Vishakapatnam was expected to be a run fest, but the packed crowd were left disappointed after the Indian batsmen, apart from KL Rahul, failed to get going, and could muster only 126-7 from their 20 overs.

India’s only way of making that score look daunting for the visitors was to make early inroads and they did just that, thanks to an awful mix up between openers Short and Stoinis. Australia lost their out-of-form captain Finch once again to Jasprit Bumrah, who had come back after a well deserved rest. The tourists were in a spot of bother at 5-2 at that stage.

An 84-run stand between D’Arcy Short and Glenn Maxwell not only ensured Australia were back on track, but also put them in a position to chase down the target with ease.

But as we have seen on numerous occasions in this format, one good over or a wicket can change the entire course of the innings. The wicket of Maxwell in the 14th over when he hit Chahal straight down the throat of long off gave India a sniff.

Wickets at regular intervals coupled with dot balls put Australia under serious pressure, and in the end Australia scraped through off the last ball to take a 1-0 lead in the T20I series.

Let’s look at three talking points from the low scoring encounter at Vishakapatnam:

#1 KL Rahul plays well on his return

India v Australia - T20I: Game 1

Rahul returned to play for the country after missing out on a few matches due to off-field controversies, and he looked comfortable right from the start of his innings. He opened the innings with Rohit Sharma, with Shikhar Dhawan being rested for this game.

When Rahul plays the shot over extra cover off a genuine fast bowler well, it means he is in his zone, and he was hitting them with ease against Coulter-Nile and Jhye Richardson.

Just when he was looking well set to go big, Rahul mistimed one after scoring his 50, but his return to form will be a welcome sign for India ahead of a busy white ball season.

#2 Australian bowlers bowl to a plan

India v Australia - T20I: Game 1

After Finch won the toss and decided to bowl first on a wicket that looked like a batting beauty, the Australian fast bowlers were right on the money in the first few overs. The return of Pat Cummins in the shorter format was a welcome relief for Australia.

All four fast bowlers were bowling with a plan of hitting the deck and making the Indian batsmen score off the back foot. Along with hitting the deck, they were bowling at the body, and not giving the bastmen room to free their arms, and it worked very well, especially in the second half of the innings against the likes of Dinesh Karthik and Krunal Pandya.

The Australian fast bowlers continued to bowl that length in the death overs as well when MS Dhoni was trying to go for the big hits. They didn’t allow Dhoni to get underneath the ball, which can give him the elevation to hit the long ball.

In the end, all the bowlers collectively did well to restrict India to a modest total.

#3 Maxwell counter-attacks

India v Australia - T20I: Game 1

After Australia were in a spot of bother at 5-2 in as early as the 3rd over, Maxwell’s counter-attacking knock was just what the doctor ordered for the visitors.

He played with freedom, and his intent was very clear from the way he started off against both pace and spin, and he played some excellent strokes on a wicket that was slowing down and starting to turn to put the pressure back on the Indian bowlers.

Of all the shots he played, the back foot punch through extra cover off Bumrah in the 3rd over when he was new at the crease was top quality, and one that would have given him a lot of confidence.

His 56 off 43 balls put Australia in a comfortable position, but he would be kicking himself for the way he got out, both in terms of the match situation as well as the shot he played off Chahal.

However, his knock didn't go in vain, as Australia took a 1-0 lead in the series.