Max Factor to the fore

Bengaluru, February 27

Glenn Maxwell smashed a brilliant 100 off just 50 balls as Australia powered to a three-wicket win over India in the second and final T20I, with the visitors taking the series 2-0. Australia chased down India’s imposing 190 in the 20th over, with two balls remaining in the innings.

Maxwell remained unbeaten on 113 off just 55 balls, having hit seven fours and nine sixers. D’Arcy Short was the other major contributor for Australia, scoring 40 off 28 balls.

Kohli on fire

Earlier, skipper Virat Kohli and veteran Mahendra Singh Dhoni delighted the Chinnaswamy crowd with a 100-run stand off only 50 balls, propelling India to 190/4.

Kohli led from the front in the must-win tie, hammering an unbeaten 72 off 38 balls in a knock that included six sixes, while Dhoni played the supporting role well with 40 off 23 balls. It was a typical Dhoni innings that comprised three fours and as many sixes and came after a rather slow 29 off 37 balls in Visakhapatnam in the first T20I on Sunday night. Opener KL Rahul was amongst runs again, scoring 47 off 26 in front of his home crowd.

Due to the fact that the pitch wore a greenish look, India brought in pace all-rounder Vijay Shankar in place of spinner Mayank Markande while fast bowler Umesh Yadav made way for Siddarth Kaul. India made a third change by resting Rohit Sharma, getting in Shikhar Dhawan to open the innings with Rahul. Dhawan had been rested in the series-opener. — PTI

Australia outplayed us in both games, they were more clinical with bat, ball and on the field. We put up a decent total, 190 is a good score on any ground, but there was too much dew around, and when Maxy plays an innings like that, you can’t do too much. — Virat Kohli, India captain.

Anytime you can win any kind of series against India in India is special. Outstanding innings from Maxy, and I must mention Adam Zampa as well, to bowl as he did on this wicket. — Aaron Finch, Australia captain

3 T20I centuries Glenn Maxwell has scored. Maxwell has six fifties and his highest T20I score is 145

20 T20I half-centuries Virat Kohli has scored 

1 T20I series Australia have won against India in India

We haven’t had a lot of success here. To perform as well as we have in these two T20s, it’s a great start to this tour — Glenn Maxwell