Team India exacted a small revenge on the Australia team on Thursday (Nov 23) as they got the better of them in the curtain-raiser of the T20I series in Visakhapatnam. Yet to heal from the ODI World Cup final defeat, India beat Australia by two wickets in a thrilling match as Suryakumar Yadav (80) and Rinku Singh (unbeaten 22) laid the foundation for the win. However, in an interesting decision by the officials, Rinku Singh’s six of the last ball did not count as India won with a ball to spare.

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

Why did the six not count?

Needing one run of the final ball, bowler Sean Abbott bowled a no-ball that was dispatched by Rinku for the winning six. However, according to International Cricket Council (ICC) laws, the match gets over once the target is reached. Since Abbott’s no-ball turned out to be the winning moment of the match, with the ball yet to touch Rinku’s bat, the latter phase of play was considered irrelevant and the six did not count.

ALSO READ | 1st T20I: Suryakumar, Rinku star in tight win for India in curtain-raiser against Australia

What happened in the final over?

Needing seven runs to win in the final over with five wickets in hand, India were in the box seat to win the match. With a four on the first delivery off Rinku’s bat, the equation was in India’s favour and they needed three runs in five balls. However, he then rotated the strike with a single run to Axar Patel, but things went against India. This turned out to be a big moment as India lost three consecutive wickets (no hat-trick as there were two runouts).

Both Ravi Bishnoi and Arshdeep Singh were run out but handed a strike to Rinku for the final ball. However, the final ball scenario handed India a win by a narrow two wickets despite entering the ultimate over with five wickets in hand.

India successfully chased down the 209-run target which was set by the Aussies after Josh Inglis’ 47-ball ton fuelled their proceedings. India now have a 1-0 lead in the five-match series with the next match taking place in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday (Nov 26).

You can now write for Baazigarnews.com and be a part of the Baazigar family. Share your stories and opinions with us here.