DHAKA: After India scored just two runs in the first over and 53 in the six Powerplay overs while chasing 201/7 (Australia scored 9 in the first over and 74 in the first 6), it was evident that the end will be close.

The track was a very good one to bat on so chasing at 10 runs per over, if one had wickets in hand, was lot easier than it would have been otherwise.

The total actually gave India the opportunity to show their batting depth and they did it in style. Comeback man Yuvraj Singh`s vintage stuff (77 not out, 35b, 8x4, 5x6) helped India clinch a thriller by six wickets in the lone T20 against the visiting Australians in Kandheri near Rajkot on Thursday.

MS Dhoni and Yuvraj together have won many such battles for India in the past so when Virat Kohli`s dismissal in the 12th over brought them together, it actually made things difficult for the Aussies. Yuvraj is playing international cricket after four months and one could see the hunger in his eyes and his determination to keep going. He didn`t play a single false stroke, clearing the ropes by miles or piercing the gap with the precision of a surgeon.

Yuvraj and Dhoni put on 102 runs for the unbroken fifth wicket as India won the match quite convincingly in the end.

Earlier, Dhoni won the toss and opted to bowl, saying that since the track was under covers for the last few days due to rain, it might have some moisture and can help the bowlers early on. There was a hint of swing once in a while but the Aussies raced to 201/7. They wisely batted around Aaron Finch who held the innings together with 89 off 52 balls with 14 fours and one six.
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Source: Times of India

BDST: 1307 HRS, OCT 11, 2013
MR/AKA