Tim David, playing his first series for Australia, lived up to his reputation of a hard-hitter. The Singaporean-Australian cricketer smashed his first T20I fifty in 25 balls at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on Sunday. 

David was on a boundary-hitting spree. The 26-year-old attacked Bhuvneshwar Kumar, in the 18th over, for two consecutive sixes and a four. 

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He finished with 54 runs in 27 balls with the help of two fours and four sixes. His seventh wicket partnership with Daniel Sams lifted Australia to 186/7, after they were reduced to 117/6.

The Australians batterd first, after Indian skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and decided to bowl first. Both teams decided to play with more or less the same playing XI, making only once change each. For India, Rishabh Pant was replaced by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Sean Abbott by Josh Inglis in Australia.

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Cameron Green gave Australia a great start with his 21-ball 52, which contained 7 fours and 3 sixes, after Aaron Finch was dismissed early. It was the fastest T20I half centruy to be hit against the Indian cricket team. However, the bowlers wrestled back control, removing Green soon after his half ton and also sending Steve Smith back to pavilion for nine.

The next few overs were dominated by Axar Patel’s brilliance as the spinner all-rounder finished the match with the figures of 3/33. Not only he took the early wicket of captain Aaron Finch, he was instrumental in the run out that shortened Glen Maxwell stay on the pitch. He was brought back by skipper Sharma in the 13th over just when Tim Davis and Josh Inglis’ stand was starting to hurst the hosts. Not only did he break the partnership, but he also sent back Australian finisher Matthew Wade back to the pavilion in the same over. Australia were in a tough spot as they were reduced to 117/6.

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It is when David took up the mantle of scoring and quickly reached his half ton. Hardik Pandya leaked 11 runs in the 16th over. Jasprit Bumrah managed to concede only six runs in the next over, but Bhuvaneshwar Kumar again went for runs after being hit for two sixes and a four by David. An economical last over by Harshal Patel meant that Australia ended up with 186/7. India now need 187 runs to win the match and the series.