1st T20I at Brisbane: Australia beat India by 4 runs

A game which had plenty of twists and turns. Australia started slowly, but then Lynn, Maxwell and Stoinis were powering the hosts to a big total before the rain came bucketing down. That seemed to take the momentum away from the home side but when the revised DLS target was disclosed, 174 from 17 overs, Australia did seem to have the advantage.

Finch took advantage of the reprieve and put on 40 runs off 26 balls with Lynn for the second wicket. But it was Maxwell who stole the show with his belligerent hitting as Australia crossed 150 in the 16th over. He put on 78 runs off 37 balls with Stoinis as Indian bowlers proved expensive even before the death overs began.

India started gingerly, losing Rohit early but Dhawan kept them in the hunt. He was losing partners at the other end but till he was there in the middle, the visitors were in with a shout.  His vital 76 gave India the much need push but fell. 

Then came that spell from Adam Zampa - which saw Kohli and Dhawan getting dismissed. At that stage, India needed 69 from 32 balls and it was virtually over.  His 2/22 saw him claim the man of the match as his wickets saw India tumbling down one after the other. KL Rahul joined in as well after being removed for 13.

Enter Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant. Nothing to lose. The duo had a magnificent partnership of 51 from 23 balls, which revived the game. The 25-run over from Andrew Tye in the 14th opened the game big time but then, the seamer bounced back with the wicket of Pant and Stoinis closed it out in the final over.

With the 4 run win via DLS, Australia have taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. What a win for Australia given their recent form. They lost the one-off T20I to South Africa just a few days ago and today, they were ruthless and relentless. Utterly dominant and kept their nerve. A great win for Australia and for India, they will hope to bounce back in the 2nd T20I.