IND vs AUS, 1st T20: Rinku Singh Reveals MS Dhoni Influence After Last-Over Heroics In Vizag
Visakhapatnam: Following Rinku Singh’s last-over heroics against Australia in the first T20I on Thursday, the southpaw spoke about the influence of legendary MS Dhoni in his finishing skills. Needing seven runs in the final over while chasing 209, India had lost two wickets in the first four balls, but the pocket-sized dynamo kept his cool to win the match for his team. India are leading the five-match
“In four overs we needed some 40-odd runs, my mindset was to do what I wanted to and take the game to the last over. I talked to Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni) and asked him what he thinks in the last over he said that if you stay calm it will be good for you so I try to do that,” Rinku, who remained unbeaten for 22 off 14 balls, said in a video posted by BCCI.
“It feels good that our team won the game and when I came out to bat it was the perfect situation for me to do what I have been doing for some time. It felt good to play with Surya bhaiya,” Rinku added.
Earlier, India opted to bowl first and sent back Matthew Short (13) early. However, a partnership of 130 runs between Josh Inglis (110 in 50 balls, with 11 fours and four sixes) and Steve Smith (52 off 41 balls, with eight fours) put the Aussies on course for a huge total. A cameo from Tim David took Australia to 208/3 in 20 overs.
Prasidh Krishna (1/50) and Ravi Bishnoi (1/54) took a wicket each for India. Chasing 209, India lost Ruturaj Gaikwad (0) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (21) early, reducing the ‘Men in Blue’ to 22/2. However, a 112-run stand between Kishan (58 in 39 balls, 2 fours and 5 sixes) and Suryakumar Yadav (80 In 42 balls, 9 fours and 4 sixes) brought India back into the game.
An able follow-up act by Rinku (22 not out in 14 balls, 4 boundaries) took India home despite losing some wickers in a flurry. Tanveer Sangha (2/47) was the pick of the bowlers for the Aussies while Matthew Short, Sean Abbott and Jason Behrendorff took a wicket each.