Thiruvananthapuram. India defeated Australia by 44 runs in the second T20 International and took a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. Rituraj Gaikwad (58 runs in 43 balls), Yashasvi Jaiswal (53 runs in 25 balls) and Ishan Kishan (52 runs in 32 balls) scored brilliant half-centuries. Later Rinku Singh scored an unbeaten 31 runs in nine balls. He hit four fours and two sixes in his explosive innings, due to which India made its highest score of 235 runs for four wickets in this format against Australia. In reply, India restricted Australia’s innings to 191 runs for nine wickets in 20 overs, thanks to the brilliant performance of the bowlers led by Ravi Bishnoi. Apart from the half-century innings, Yashasvi Jaiswal, who took two brilliant catches, became the player of the match. After the match, Rinku Singh, who played a flamboyant innings, reacted to his role as a finisher. Captain Suryakumar Yadav also praised Rinku Singh wholeheartedly.
From Australia, Marcus Stoinis (45 runs in 25 balls) and Tim David (37 runs in 22 balls) had at one time increased the heartbeat of the Indian team by adding 81 runs in 38 balls for the fifth wicket, but both were out in consecutive overs. As soon as this happened, the kangaroos’ spirits were shattered. Captain Matthew Wade scored unbeaten 42 runs but could not lead the team to victory.
After the match, Rinku Singh, who played the explosive innings, said, ‘I have batted a lot at number five, so I remain calm about my position. I like to play the ball according to the condition of the pitch. I try to find out whether it is a slower ball or a fast one, and then play it accordingly.
On the role of finisher, the explosive batsman said, ‘I know that sometimes I will get to play only 5-6 overs or 2 overs. I practice in the nets in the same way, as if I am playing the last 5 overs.