In a thrilling T20I encounter, Washington Sundar’s heroics stole the show, leaving former players in awe. But did Australia make a critical mistake in their strategy?
Varun Aaron, a former Indian cricketer, praised Sundar’s performance in the third T20I against Australia, suggesting that the hosts may have underestimated his prowess against short-pitched bowling. Sundar’s unbeaten 49 off 23 balls, including five boundaries off fast bowlers’ short deliveries, was a game-changer. This performance, reminiscent of his IPL heroics, caught Australia off guard, as highlighted by Aaron on Cricket Live.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Did Australia’s bowlers fall into a trap by not adjusting their line and length? Aaron believes Australia’s strategy backfired, as Sundar’s early six off Nathan Ellis set the tone for India’s victory. Despite not bowling in this match, Sundar’s batting prowess was on full display, making him a strong contender for the Player of the Match award.
Aaron Finch, the former Australian captain, also chimed in, praising Sundar’s ability to relieve pressure from his partner, Tilak Varma. Sundar’s confidence against both short and full deliveries was key to India’s successful chase of Australia’s 187-run target. This was Australia’s first-ever T20I loss at the historic Ninja Oval (formerly Bellerive Oval).
Australia’s bowlers, led by Tim David’s 74 off 38 balls, seemed to have put them in a commanding position. However, India’s batsmen, including Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, and Sundar himself, all contributed to the chase. Jitesh Sharma, in his series debut, provided valuable support to Sundar, ensuring India’s victory.
And this is the part most people miss: Could Australia’s bowlers have adapted their tactics to counter Sundar’s strengths? The debate is open, and we’d love to hear your thoughts. Did Australia’s bowlers underestimate Sundar, or was it a tactical masterstroke from the Indian team?