Buoyant India thrash Australia by 27 runs to seal T20 series

India produced an all-round performance to claim a 27-run win over Australia in the second Twenty20 international and in the process took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20 series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.

Put in to bat first, the tourists posted a daunting target of 185, thanks to an explosive start from the opening pair of Rohit Sharma (60) and Shikhar Dhawan (42) before star batsman Virat Kohli, who was adjudged the Player of the Match, consolidated the innings by making a quick-fire 59 not out off just 33 balls.

In reply, Australia could only make 157/8 in their stipulated 20 overs despite captain Aaron Finch's brisk knock of 74 off 48 deliveries. They failed to capitalise on a solid start by Finch and Shaun Marsh (23) as they lost wickets at regular junctures.

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For India, Ravindra Jadeja and pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah claimed two wickets apiece, while Yuvraj Singh, Ravichandran Ashwin and all-rounder Hardik Pandya shared three wickets between them.

India will play the inconsequential third T20 against Australia in Sydney on Sunday.