Sydney: The change of format and infusion of young blood failed to bring about a turnaround for India as Australia thrashed the lacklustre visitors by 31 runs in the first T20 International here on Wednesday.
Australia rode on wicketkeeper-batsman Mathew Wade’s blistering 43-ball 72 to score an imposing 171 for four and then bowled well to restrict India to 140 for six in what turned out to be a lop-sided contest.
After the 0-4 drubbing in the Test series, the induction of the limited overs specialists didn’t bring about any change in the script as neither the batsmen nor the bowlers could create any sort of impact.
The game was as good as over when India lost their first four wickets for 53 runs inside the first eight overs.
Virender Sehwag (4), Gautam Gambhir (20), Virat Kohli (22) and Rohit Sharma (0) were cooling their heels in the pavilion within a blink, giving the hosts the advantage.
It only got worse when Suresh Raina (14), after a hit or two, was clean bowled by the highly regarded Daniel Christian.
Only skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni held his ground and struck 48 off 43 balls with a boundary and three sixes. His late flourish was eye-catching but it was too late by then.
There was a brief sparkle when Gambhir and Kohli put on 41 runs off 30 balls but the disaster was round the corner. Kohli was claimed by 40-year-old chinaman bowler Hogg off the fourth ball of his first over. (PTI)