After having been on the losing side in the ODI series against Australia, India put in a dominating performance in the first T20I to win by 37 runs and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. India were powered to a total of 188 by Indian vice-captain, Virat Kohli's unbeaten knock of 90 that eventually earned him the man-of-the-match award.
The knock reaffirmed Kohli's status as one of the best batsmen currently playing as he continued his supreme from the ODI series. Kohli has seemed to take a liking to the Australian pitches which offer good carry, thus allowing good batsmen to play shots on a regular basis.
Former Indian cricketer, Sunil Gavaskar has showered praise on the 27-year-old batsman and described his batting style as unstoppable.
“He is at the moment from a different planet. He is making it look so simple. The beauty about his batting is the top hand, when needed to play shots on the on side and the same delivery, same line, same length the bottom hand comes into play and he whips it to mid-wicket, so what does a bowler do. How does any bowler stop a man in such tremendous touch,” Gavaskar told NDTV.
With both batsman and bowlers putting in a total performance in the T20I victory, Gavaskar was hopeful about India's chances at the forthcoming World T20 to be held in India in March 2016.
Jasprit Bumrah has been quite impressive since he made his international debut in the fifth ODI against Australia. In the two internationals, Bumrah has played he has picked up five wickets and given under 6 runs an over, a commendable achievement considering that the pitches are not very conducive for bowlers.
Gavaskar believed that by the time India goes back home, they will be the favourites to win the tournament and home conditions will only assist their aim to win their second World T20 title.
“Shikhar (Dhawan) might not have scored enough runs, but I think that's a great sign for the Indian team because when they head back home in familiar conditions, with the ball also helping the spinners, then I think India certainly will be the team to watch out for.
“Batting wise they are clicking massively and in bowling, they have discovered the right line and length. The Indian team is shaping up well, particularly after the inclusion of Jasprit Bumrah, Ashish Nehra and Yuvraj Singh,” Gavaskar said.
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