Josh Inglis broke Australia’s fastest century in Twenty20 Internationals before Suryakumar Yadav powered India to a two-wicket win in a thrilling series opener on Thursday.
Suryakumar, captaining India for the first time, scored an assured 80 as the hosts were chased by 208 in Visakhapatnam, securing a small revenge for the painful defeat to Australia in the 50-overs World Cup final on Sunday.
Ishan Kishan (58) and Suryakumar formed a 112-run partnership but India lost momentum after both players departed and the chase went down to the last ball of the game when Rinku Singh led his team over the line.
“The credit goes to (Suryakumar) for the way he played. He took on the bowlers,” said Kishan.
“The communication was very good. I’m really happy because it’s a young team. We will make mistakes but hopefully we will come back stronger as a bowling unit.”
Australia had achieved an impressive tally after Inglis hit 11 fours and eight sixes in his 110 from 50 balls.
The 28-year-old’s century came from 47 balls, equaling Aaron Finch’s Australian record.
Inglis was ably supported by Steve Smith (52), another of the seven players from Australia’s World Cup-winning squad who stayed in India for the T20 series, in a 130-run second-wicket partnership.
The second game of the five-match series will take place in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.
