There’s nothing quite like a close India-Australia encounter, and yesterday’s 4th T20I in Raipur certainly didn’t disappoint! From Rinku Singh’s late-innings blitz to Axar Patel’s magical spin, the match was a pulsating thriller that eventually saw India emerge victorious by 20 runs, securing an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series.

Batting first, India looked shaky at the start, losing wickets at regular intervals. But then came the Rinku Singh show! This young swashbuckler, with audacious shots and fearless running, smashed 46 off just 29 balls, propelling India to a respectable 174/9. Jitesh Sharma also chipped in with a quickfire 35, proving that India’s batting depth is no fluke.

Chasing 175, Australia started brightly, with Travis Head and Matthew Wade finding boundaries with ease. However, the introduction of Axar Patel changed the game. His left-arm spin was unplayable, bamboozling the Aussie batsmen. He finished with figures of 3/16, completely derailing Australia’s chase.

Ravi Bishnoi, the young leg-spinner, also impressed, claiming 1/17 and keeping the Aussies in check. The rest of the Indian bowlers chipped in with crucial wickets, never allowing Australia to settle into a rhythm.

In the end, despite Wade’s valiant 36* and some late resistance, Australia fell short by 20 runs, leaving the packed Raipur crowd ecstatic. This victory was a complete team effort by India, showcasing their resilience and adaptability.

It wasn’t just the on-field action that was exciting. The atmosphere in Raipur was electric, with chants of “India! India!” reverberating throughout the stadium. The passion of the fans undoubtedly fueled the Indian players, pushing them to give their all.

With this win, India has moved one step closer to clinching the series. One more victory in Hyderabad will seal the deal, but Australia surely won’t go down without a fight. The stage is set for a thrilling finale, and one can only imagine the fireworks in store!

So, cricket fans, brace yourselves for another nail-biter. Who will reign supreme in Hyderabad? Will India complete the series sweep or will Australia pull off a miraculous comeback? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: this T20 series is turning out to be an absolute humdinger!