2nd T20I: Benching Jason Behrendorff backfires on Australia

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Aussies seem to have paid a heavy price in the second T20I for dropping left-arm seamer Jason Behrendorff - who was impressive in the first game - but their stand-in head coach Andre Borovec termed it a "strategic decision".

"No injury concerns for Jason. One of the considerations today was playing two spin options. We thought it would be a good attacking option for us. So we decided to structure our bowling around that. I had a great conversation with Jason on how good his bowling was in the Vizag T20. It was one of his better bowling performances for Australia. So it was a really tough decision (to drop him)," Borovec clarified.

1/10:2nd T20I: India's power-packed stat attack against Australia

ANI

2/10:India's highest total vs Australia

<p>235/4 is India's highest total vs Australia in T20Is. In all, India have registered five T20I totals of 200-plus against Australia. </p>Getty Images

3/10:​235/4

<p>235/4 is India's fourth highest first innings score in T20Is. </p>AP

4/10:44-run win

<p>India's 44-run winning margin is their second highest in terms of runs against Australia in T20Is. </p>PTI

5/10:India vs Australia

<p>In eight T20Is since 2020, India have beaten Australia 8 times and lost 2. </p>AP

6/10:Top 3 batters

<p>This is the fifth instance in international cricket that top three batsmen have registered 50-plus scores in a T20I innings. </p>PTI

7/10:50-plus scores

<p>This is the fourth instance that three Indian batsmen have registered 50-plus scores in a T20I innings. </p>AFP

8/10:Rinku Singh

<p>Batting in overs 19-20 in T20Is, Rinku Singh has scored 93 runs off 28 balls, with one dismissal at a strike rate of 332.14 with 9 fours and 8 sixes. </p>Getty Images

9/10:​Ishan Kishan

<p>Ishan Kishan equalled KL Rahul's record of hitting three 50-plus scores as designated wicketkeeper for India in T20Is. </p>Getty Images

10/10:​Yashasvi Jaiswal

<p>Yashasvi Jaiswal is the third Indian after Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul to hit 50-plus runs within the Powerplay in T20Is. </p>Getty Images

2nd T20I: India's power-packed stat attack against Australia

Meanwhile, former skipper Steve Smith isn't sure about his place in Australia's T20 set-up and is being given a chance to bat at the top of the order by the team management ahead of the World Cup. Smith scored a 41-ball 52 in the first T20 and 19 off 16 in the second game.

"One of the things we had in our plans coming into this series was to look at Steve up at the top. We have been extremely happy with the intent he has shown with the bat," Borovec said.

1/10:2nd T20I: Jaiswal, Kishan help India thrash Australia to go 2-0 up

ANI

2/10:Jaiswal's explosive innings

Young India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed a 25-ball 53 with fearless shot-making.PTI

3/10:Kishan's impactful contribution

Ishan Kishan's 52 off 32 deliveries pushed India's total to a mammoth 235/4 after being invited to bat first.AFP

4/10:Bishnoi, Krishna shine with the ball

Spinner Ravi Bishnoi and fast bowler Prasidh Krishna took three wickets each as the hosts kept Australia down to 191/9.PTI

5/10:Australia's struggle in the chase

<p>In reply, Australia fell to 58/4 including Steve Smith (19), previous-match centurion Josh Inglis (two) and Glenn Maxwell (12) back in the dug-out.</p>AP

6/10:David and Stoinis fight back

Tim David, who smashed 37, and Stoinis, who hit 45 off 25 balls, attempted to hit back in their partnership of 81 as the two hit six fours and six sixes between them.AFP

7/10:Bishnoi breaks the partnership

Ravi Bishnoi broke the stand with his leg-spin to dismiss Tim David who mistimed a hit to long-on.AFP

8/10:Wade's late heroics

Skipper Matthew Wade struck an unbeaten 42 off 23 balls to reduce the margin of loss for Australia.AFP

9/10:India's commanding lead in the series

With the convincing 44-run win, India extended their lead to 2-0 in the five-match series against Australia.AFP

10/10:Australia's struggles continue

"We're making the right decisions but aren't executing in the right moments," Australia coach Andre Borovec said.AFP

2nd T20I: Jaiswal, Kishan help India thrash Australia to go 2-0 up

Despite the back-to-back defeats, Borovec didn't want to be too critical of his players. "We are a little disappointed about our execution in the first six. That's where we thought the sweet spot was for taking wickets and giving our spinners a chance to bowl at the new batters. I was proud of the fightback in the early middle overs. And once dew came in, it made it difficult to execute. But I can't fault the endeavour and intent of the bowlers," he said.