Australia’s Glenn Maxwell, nicknamed the Big Show, lived up to his reputation as he smashed an unbeaten 104 off just 48 balls to guide his team to a thrilling five-wicket win over India in the third T20 international in Guwahati on Tuesday. The victory kept Australia alive in the five-match series, which India leads 2-1.
Maxwell’s fourth T20 international hundred, and his second against India, was a masterclass of power hitting and clever placement. He hit nine fours and seven sixes, including the winning boundary off the last ball of the match.
Australia needed 223 to win after India posted 8-222, their highest T20 total against Australia and the third-highest in T20 history. Ruturaj Gaikwad scored his maiden T20 century, making 105 off 62 balls with 12 fours and five sixes. He shared a 113-run stand with captain Virat Kohli, who made 59 off 33 balls.
Australia’s chase got off to a shaky start as they lost David Warner and Steve Smith cheaply. But Maxwell found an able partner in Marcus Stoinis, who scored 41 off 25 balls. The duo added 90 runs for the fourth wicket in just 7.4 overs, keeping Australia in the hunt.
Maxwell took charge of the innings and played some outrageous shots, including a reverse sweep for six off Yuzvendra Chahal and a switch hit for four off Jasprit Bumrah. He reached his hundred in the 18th over with a six off Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Australia needed 14 runs off the last over, bowled by Bumrah. Maxwell hit a four and a six off the first two balls, but then took a single to give the strike to Ashton Agar. Agar managed to score three runs off the next three balls, leaving Australia needing one run off the final delivery.
Maxwell calmly flicked Bumrah to the leg side and completed the run, sparking wild celebrations in the Australian camp. He was named the man of the match for his sensational knock.
“It was one of those nights where everything went to plan,” Maxwell said after the match. “I was able to get myself in and then go hard at the end. It was a good wicket, the ball was coming on nicely and I was able to hit through the line.”
Maxwell also praised Stoinis for his support. “He played beautifully, he gave me a lot of confidence and he took the pressure off me. He was striking the ball really well and he gave me a lot of momentum.”
India’s captain Kohli was disappointed with the result, but credited Maxwell for his brilliance. “He played an incredible innings, he took the game away from us. We tried our best, but he was too good on the day. We have to give him credit for that.”
Kohli also defended his bowlers, who conceded the highest total ever chased down against India in T20s. “It’s not easy to bowl on these small grounds, especially when the batsman is in such a good form. We have to learn from our mistakes and come back stronger in the next game.”
The fourth T20 international will be played in Kolkata on Friday, with India looking to seal the series and Australia hoping to level it.