ACING THE CHASE

Kohli, Surya Add 104 Runs For Third Wicket To Help India Clinch Series

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Hyderabad: It all boiled down to the last three overs. The Australians, who were 140 for six at the end of the 17th over, had got 46 in the final three. The Indians, who had set the chase up very nicely needing just 32 in the last three for a 2-1 series win, overcame some spirited fightback to post a thumping six-wicket win in the third and final T20I match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, here on Sunday.

Virat Kohli struck a 48-ball 63 (4x3,6x4) and though he fell with just five needed off five balls, the former India skipper had done enough to ensure a victory. Hardik Pandya remained unbeaten on 25 as the Indians replied with 187 for four with a ball to spare. In the end, the difference between the teams was the steady show of the Indian batters in the middle overs.

But the win was really set up by a Mumbaikar for whom the sky is no limit. Suryakumar Yadav stole the thunder from the Australians.

Coming into bat with India, chasing a tricky 188 and delicately placed at 30 for two, Suryakumar and Kohli strung a match-winning 104-run partnership off 62 balls for the third wicket.

The Indians didn't get the start they wanted as KL Rahul (1) and skipper Rohit Sharma (12) fell with just 30 on the board. But Kohli and Suryakumar took up the challenge as they slowly clawed their way back. Kohli did the bulk of the scoring initially before Suryakumar joined the party.

The Australians, who till that time looked on top, began to wilt under pressure. After 10 overs, the Indians were 91 for two-five runs more than the Australians at that stage of their innings.