India vs Australia, 3rd T20I: Maxwell's whirlwind ton trumps Gaikwad's as Aussies win last-ball thriller in Guwahati

Glenn Maxwell’s 48-ball 104 not out overshadowed an equally destructive century from Ruturaj Gaikwad as Australia won a last-ball thriller by five wickets in the third T20I against India in Guwahati on Tuesday.

Gaikwad tore the Australian attack apart to bring up his maiden international hundred, finishing unbeaten on 123 in 57 deliveries as India posted a daunting 222/3 after being invited to bat by Australia.

The wicketkeeper-batter’s sensational knock, however, would go in vain as Maxwell launched a sensational assault in the back-end of Australia’s chase, helping them recover from a difficult position of 134/5 in the 14th over and pull off a thrilling victory at the Barsapara Stadium when the Aussies were left needing 43 to win from just 12 deliveries.

Maxwell, who had been in brilliant form during the recent ICC World Cup as well, brought up his fourth T20I century in just 47 deliveries — the joint-fastest by an Australian in T20Is alongside Josh Inglis and former captain Aaron Finch.

What a splendid way to mark his maiden T20I century! #INDvAUS #JioCinemaSports #IDFCBankT20ITrophy pic.twitter.com/T4W2w8pWJ7

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) November 28, 2023

Australia, who won the ODI World Cup after beating hosts India in the final earlier this month, still trail the five-match series 2-1 with the fourth T20I on Friday in Raipur.

Maxwell, in his 100th T20 international and his last of the series before he flies back home, struck eight fours and eight sixes and put on an unbeaten 91-run stand with skipper Matthew Wade, who hit 28.

Australia slipped to 68-3, but Maxwell, called “The Big Show” for his attacking batting, stood firm and tore into the Indian attack.

Maxwell’s knock brought back memories of his match-winning 201 not out in a 50-over World Cup match against Afghanistan earlier this month when he pulled off a miraculous chase from 91-7.

Opener Travis Head, who made the team after his match-winning century in the ODI World Cup final, attacked along with fellow opener Aaron Hardie.

The left-handed Head smashed 35 off 18 balls but fell to fast bowler Avesh Khan and soon Australia lost three wickets before the Maxwell blitz.

The tourists have made wholesale changes to their squad midway into the series with Steve Smith and Adam Zampa back home.

Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Inglis and Sean Abbott — all part of the group that won a record-extending sixth 50-over title — are to fly back home Wednesday.

Earlier India rode on Gaikwad’s maiden international century and his 141-run unbeaten stand with Tilak Varma to post a mammoth total, which proved insufficient.

Australia elected to bowl first and got two early wickets but Gaikwad, who hit 58 in the team’s second win, took apart the opposition bowling to raise his 100 off 52 balls.

What a splendid way to mark his maiden T20I century! #INDvAUS #JioCinemaSports #IDFCBankT20ITrophy pic.twitter.com/T4W2w8pWJ7

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) November 28, 2023

He finished with 13 fours and seven sixes in his 57-ball blitz with Varma, who hit 31 off 24 balls, playing anchor at the other end.

Brief scores:

India 222/3 in 20 overs (Ruturaj Gaikwad 123*, Suryakumar Yadav 39; Jason Behrendorff 1/12) lost to Australia 225/5 in 20 overs (Glenn Maxwell 104*, Travis Head 35; Ravi Bishnoi 2/32) by five wickets.

With inputs from AFP