‘It’s really tough on them’ – Ruturaj Gaikwad defends Prasidh Krishna after Glenn Maxwell’s assault in third T20I

Prasidh-Krishna. (Photo Source: X/Twitter)

Australia made a comeback in the five-match T20I series as they beat India by five wickets in the third game at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati. The Matthew Wade-led side chased down the massive target of 223 courtesy of a sensational hundred from Glenn Maxwell (104* off 48). Notably, Australia had a herculean task of 43 runs to win from 12 balls with Wade and Maxwell at the crease.

The duo first smacked Axar Patel for 22 runs in the penultimate over and later got 23 runs off the last over against Prasidh Krishna to script the second-highest successful chase for Australia in T20Is. Following Australia’s win, opener Ruturaj Gaikwad defended Krishna who registered the most expensive bowling figures by an Indian (0/68, 4 overs) in T20Is saying that he had tough conditions to bowl in.

“I don’t think so it’s a concern because it’s almost like you are bowling with a wet ball. And it’s really tough on them. In these kinds of conditions, 12 runs per over or even 13 or 14 runs per over is gettable, even while we are chasing, In the first game, how easily we managed to chase 210,” Gaikwad was quoted as saying by HindustanTimes.

He further credited Maxwell for his incredible innings as he registered the joint-fastest hundred by an Australian in T20Is (47 balls) to take Australia over the line.

“I think even Maxi batted really well. To win from a situation where they needed 100 from seven and a half hours and then 50 from 3 overs, I think it was critical innings for him,” he added.

Ruturaj Gaikwad became the first Indian batter to score a T20I hundred vs Australia

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Earlier in the day, Gaikwad also played a scintillating knock of 123* (57) in the first innings clobbering 13 fours and seven sixes. Notably, he also became the first Indian batter to score a T20I hundred vs Australia helping his side post a massive score of 222/3 in their allotted 20 overs.

The 26-year-old was batting on 21 (21) at one stage and later accelerated in the death overs putting his wide array of strokes on display. However, despite his marvellous innings, he ended up on the losing side as Maxwell annihilated the Indian bowling.