The Australian openers have always enjoyed batting against the Indians and the T20 format would have suited them to the tee. However, that was not the case to be. Adam Gilchrist started the proceedings by smashing RP Singh for three consecutive fours only to see his middle stump uprooted off the very next ball. India drew first blood. Ponting and Hayden quickly brought up the 50 for the Aussies. It really was Ponting who completely dominated the partnership, and when Hayden fell, the Indians would have known that this could be their night.
The target was 167 runs from 20 overs. Virender Sehwag, who celebrated his 29th birthday yesterday, was the first Indian wicket to fall with the score on 20. Both, Uthappa and Gambhir, put on a match-winning partnership in a passage of play that was exhilarating and intelligent cricket.
Gambhir seems to be revelling in the shortest format of the game and he is now the leading 50 scorer in T20 cricket from India. His innings was the difference in victory and defeat for the defending champions. As he reached his 50, India were well in front of the required rate and all credit must be given to them for playing in a calm manner that belie this young and inexperienced side. Gambhir was eventually handed the man of the event award for which he got a brand new Maruti SX4 car. Yuvraj Singh and Dhoni finished off the chase with a flurry of sixes. Yuvraj is also the leading six hitter in T20 games. He played to the crowd as there was really no need to go all out after the Aussies.
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