Aus-Ind 1st T20I: 5 Talking Points - The birth of a star, India's spin arsenal and the comeback that failed

India beat Australia by 37 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the T20I series at the Adelaide Oval on Tuesday. Virat Kohli was named the Man of the Match for his unbeaten 90 from just 55 deliveries.With an average age of 29, this was the oldest Indian outfit ever to take field in a T20 match. But the elements combined to give India a second consecutive win over Australia, though in different formats.MS Dhoni put in a 3-ball cameo to blast the Indian score close to 200 after the Kohli-Raina partnership, and India’s spinners came out on top. One young pace bowler also earned his way into the limelight with his exceptional bowling.Here are the five most talked about issues in the match:

#5 Jasprit Bumrah - 4th best T20I debut by an Indian

Is this the birth of a star? Jasprit Bumrah might be the answer to Indias bowling woes

Jasprit Bumrah had impressed one and all with his slingy action in the 5thODI, and his showing in the T20 arena must only clasp him closer to the Indian fan. Here finally appears to be a fast bowler who is hard to score off, creates awkward angles at decent pace, bowls yorkers at decent pace, and also takes wickets.

His 3/23 is the 4th best performance by an Indian on T20I debut, and it would be fervently hoped that he does not go the way of unfulfilled promise – a path trodden by many young Indian fast bowlers.

The last wicket of the match was taken by Bumrah with a beautiful yorker, and though the match had been decided by then, it went to show what the Indian bowling attack have lacked in recent times.

#4 Eventful debut for Hardik Pandya

Chris Lynn threatened to take the game away before being cleaned up by combination of Hardik and Yuvraj

Both Hardik Pandya and Shaun Tait bowled six wides in their bowling spells, causing much frustration to their respective captains and fans. His first over was a 11-delivery over that cost 19 runs, and seemed to have undone the good work done by the other youngster Jasprit Bumrah. He started off his international career with three consecutive wides.

However, he would come very close to taking a more honourable kind of hat-trick towards the end. He got the wicket of Chris Lynn with the last ball of his second over, and came back to claim Matthew Wade’s wicket with the first delivery of his third.

Having been initially panned for his nervy start, Pandya redeemed himself with the two wickets. Given that his batting capabilities mean that India bat up to No.9 at least when he plays, it is likely that he will get a chance to build on this start in the next match as well.

#3 Spinners give India upper hand

Ravindra Jadeja pegged back the Australian batsmen after a good start

The Australian reply got off on the strongest possible foot, with Ravichandran Ashwin’s first over leaking 17 runs. Even Nehra’s second and third overs were expensive, and Australia looked to have laid a perfect platform for chasing the target. Jasprit Bumrah’s unorthodoxy put the batsmen in a bit of a fix, but it was only after the introduction of spin from both ends that the momentum shifted decisively.

From 89/1 in 9 overs, Australia collapsed from one crest to another. At 93/4 after 11 overs, even Yuvraj Singh’s over of spin looked to be a very economical one till Shane Watson dispatched one of his deliveries into the stands for a six.

Ravindra Jadeja finished with figures of 2/21 in his 4 overs, running through his overs quickly, putting Australia on the mat before they could fully comprehend what had hit them. Ashwin also came back well after a wayward first over, finishing with figures of 2/28.

#2 Kohli leads India\'s batting charge

Virat Kohli’s 90* was a record-breaking score

Virat Kohli’s 55-ball 90* was the 3rd highest T20I score ever by an Indian, and the highest individual score by any Indian in Australia. He was well set to reach his first T20I century, but ran out of balls at the end. Only Rohit Sharma (106 vs SA, ‘15) and Suresh Raina (101 vs SA, ‘10) have higher individual scores in this format.

He just missed becoming the first batsman to score a century in all three formats at a single venue.

Kohli had to step into the fray with India in a delicate position – having lost both openers after a brisk start inspired by Rohit. He combined well with Raina, who looked solid more than explosive, and played a knock that was easy on the eye and exhibited great class and control.

He hit nine fours and two sixes in his knock, but what was more pleasing was that he played risk-free cricket, never letting his aggression cloud his judgement.

#1 Mixed fortunes for old legs

Shaun Tait’s old legs were the most out of place in the 1^st T20I

There were several players in both teams who were playing in an international match after a very long time, and not all of them have made the most of the opportunity handed to them of a second coming.

Shaun Tait sprayed the ball around and conceded 45 runs in his four wicketless overs. On the other hand, Shane Watson cleaned up the openers in a very good 5th over that spoiled India’s great start. He finished with figures of 2/24 in his 4.

The much-hyped Yuvraj Singh comeback did not come to full fruition because he did not get a chance to bat, but he took a blinder of a catch at extra cover to send back danger man Chris Lynn. Ashish Nehra gave a good display of himself though, conceding 30 runs in his 4 overs and bowling out Kane Richardson with a peach of a delivery.