Jadeja, Chahal, and Natarajan help India grab the first T20 against Australia

Shortly after the thrilling three-match ODI series, Canberra witnessed some indefinite T20 action between the two superior cricketing nations. Wearing a beautiful eye-catching indigenous kit, the hosts won the toss and elected to field first.

Both the teams had made a few changes in their playing XI. India decided to rest Jasprit Bumrah and Chahal whereas T Natarajan got his maiden cap. Furthermore, Team India opted for Manish Pandey at No.4 ahead of Shreyas Iyer. The change did raise a few eyebrows.

On the other hand, the hosts were without the services of David Warner and Pat Cummins. The team brought in D'Arcy Short and Mitchell Swepson.

Team India's cautious start

KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan opened the innings and looked committed in the first two overs. Despite all the awareness, a delivery from Mitchell Starc rattled Dhawan's off stump and gave the hosts an early breakthrough. Virat Kohli attempted to shuffle the strike alongside KL Rahul but was dismissed by Swepson.

At No.4 Sanju Samson showed some hope with the bat before he squandered his start. He scored 23 runs in 15 balls before hitting a slower ball straight into the hands of extra cover. Rahul completed his half-century in 37 balls and continued to hold one till the end as wickets kept falling around him.

A mini-slump before Jadeja's outbreak

Manish Pandey had a forgettable outing in the first T20 as he just managed to score two runs from 8 balls. The men in blue lost three quick wickets in the space of 17 balls. KL Rahul was trying to break free but failed to get enough power and caved it straight to Sean Abbott.

Hardik Pandya did materialize his outing with the bat but could only manage 16 runs and became the third wicket of Henriques. Later, India's talisman Ravindra Jadeja with his outstanding performance smashed 44 runs in 23 deliveries. He powered India to a decent total of 161.

In the second innings, Finch and Short entirely ran away with the game as Aussies added 53 in the Powerplay without losing a wicket. Despite the quick start, Australia was pushed to the back foot after the wickets of Smith and Maxwell.

Indians bowlers made a brilliant switch and pushed the hosts in a spot of bother. T Natarajan and Chahal got three-wicket hauls in the first T20 respectively. The hosts lost their grip over the match when 27 runs were needed from the last six balls. Shami did his part in the last over, and India took a 1-0 lead. 

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