India wins 4th T20 against Australia by 20 runs, seals the series in Raipur

Rinku Singh’s scorching performance, followed by Axar Patel’s three-wicket haul, drove India to a 20-run victory against Australia in the fourth T20I in Raipur. With this victory, India has grabbed a commanding 3-1 lead in the five-match series.

Rink stormed to a 29-ball 46, while Jitesh hit 35 in 19 balls, but Australia came back to halt India at 174/9 after the visitors chose to bowl first. With India cruising at 167 for four in 18.3 overs, Ben Dwarshuis (3/40) and Jason Behrendorff (2/32) took five wickets for only seven runs in the final two overs.

Despite a promising start from Travis Head, who hit 31 off 16 balls, Australia continued to lose wickets while chasing 175. Travis Head, the sole player from Australia’s World Cup-winning XI in this T20I, raced out of the blocks in the chase, striking Deepak Chahar in the third over for 4,4,0,6,4,4. Axar got 3/16 in four overs, including Travis Head’s prize wicket.

Bishnoi started by removing Josh Philippe’s off-stump as the batsman attempted to sweep a usual quick, flat delivery. In the sixth over, Axar got in on the act when Head failed a slogsweep, only for Mukesh Kumar to make the catch at short third-man. Axar then crushed Aaron Hardie (8) and Ben McDermott (19) as both batters failed to knock him out.

Axar Patel, Player of the Match: “Since the first game I had been bowling well, so one-odd over for runs doesn’t give me stress. I was thinking how to bowl with my strength, even if one match you go for runs, you stick to your strengths, stay strong mentally and bowl stump to stump. I tried to stay attacking to Wade even if he is left-handed. I had to execute my plans and there was not point being scared what if he hits me. The wicket I got today was off a slower ball relatively, you can’t get wickets only one way. That’s what I was thinking about in the break; these minor changes make a difference and you know how things work only when you try them out in a match.”

Matthew Wade, Australian Captain: “We just didn’t play spin very well in the middle and lost few too many wickets so that left Tim David with too much to do. The bowlers coming in did a very good job, Dwarshuis did a very good job, they did really stand up. We want to continue to learn about the players under the established players since the World Cup is around the corner, so depth around the squad will be key.”

Surayakumar Yadav, Indian Captain: “Other than toss everything went our way. Winning was the big boost, especially the way the boys showed character. Everyone expressed themselves irrespective of the situation, and that’s what I told them: be fearless, play your game and we’ll see what happens. The plan was very clear, to bowl yorkers on the stumps and we’ll take it from there. If that doesn’t work, we’ll see what happens.”

India XI for 4th T20I match against Australia: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Deepak Chahar, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar.

Australia XI for 4th T20I match against India: Josh Phillippe, Travis Head, Ben McDermott, Aaron Hardie, Tim David, Matthew Short, Matthew Wade (C and WK), Ben Dwarshuis, Chris Green, Jason Behrendorff and Tanveer Sangha.