Australia's Pat Cummins and Jhye Richardson taking the winning run during the first Twenty20 against India at the Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Vizag on Sunday — PTI VISAKHAPATNAM, India, Feb 25 (AFP): Glenn Maxwell hit a crucial half-century as Australia edged out India by three wickets in a thrilling last-ball finish at the first Twenty20 international on Sunday.
Pat Cummins hit a four and took two runs to complete a nervous 127-run chase after his fellow paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile restricted India to 126-7 in Visakhapatnam.
Maxwell, who made 56, put together 84 runs with D'Arcy Short for the third wicket to put Australia on course before Jasprit Bumrah hit back with three wickets.
Bumrah got debutant Peter Handscomb caught behind for 13 and then bowled Coulter-Nile on the final ball of the 19th over to keep the game in balance.
Jhye Richardson and Cummins - both not out on seven each - then kept their cool in the final six balls against Umesh Yadav to steer the Aussies home.
"It's a really strong position to be in," Australia skipper Aaron Finch said after the win.
"Nathan is a wicket-taker. He has been very consistent in the IPL (Indian Premier League) as well," he added.
The day belonged to Coulter-Nile who returned figures of 3-26 in his four overs, receiving the man of the match award.
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