2nd T20: India drubbed Australia by eight wickets

By Sohail Zafar on Friday, 3rd February 2012

Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni are congratulating each other after defeating Australia

Gautam Gambhir’s dazzling half-ton helped India snap their five-match losing streak Down Under with a nail-biting eight-victory over Australia in the second Twenty20 international at MCG to level the two-match series.

The 30-year-old stylish left-hander (56 not out) developed 54-run second-wicket stand with Virat Kohli (31) as India chased-down 131-run victory target with two balls to spare.

Gambhir slashed a boundary off pacer Clint McKay to lead his side beyond target, which also ended India’s seven-month winning dearth on foreign soil.

The tourists had earlier lost the Test series 0-4 to Australia before suffering a 31-run defeat in the first Twenty20 game in Sydney.

India VS Australia: Gambhir, Sehwag added 43 runs

Openers Gambhir and Virender Sehwag got India off a strong start and galloped the tally to 43 in 6.2 overs before resurrect left-arm spinner Brad Haddin claimed latter for 23 brilliantly caught by Shaun Marsh at short cover.

Gambhir-Kohli association occupied the crease for almost eight overs and drove up India closer to the target. The two added 54 runs for the second wicket before latter fell to Mitchell Marsh for 31 off 24 balls.

Skipper MS Dhoni scored an unbeaten 21 off 18 balls.

India VS Australia: Finch top-scored for Australia with 36

Earlier, a lissome India delivered a fine account of themselves in the field as they effected four run-outs to fold up Australia for a modest 131 runs in 19.4 overs.

Opener Aaron Finch, top-scored with 36 off 23 balls and Wednesday’s Man-of-the-Match, Matthew Wade, batted at number six and chipped in with 32 off 29 balls.

Pacer Praveen Kumar and leg-spinner Rahul Sharma claimed two wickets apiece.

The two sides now move on to the Commonwealth Bank Series, a tri-series also involving Sri Lanka.

India VS Australia 2nd Twenty20 Scorecard