Kohli takes command as India hit back to draw series

India captain Virat Kohli led from the front as his team claimed a six-wicket win to tie their T20 series against Australia in Sydney.

Kohli blasted a quickfire 61 as the Indians chased down Australia’s sturdy target of 165 with two balls to spare.

The India skipper continued the form he has shown throughout the series which ended 1-1 after the second match was ruined due to rain.

The hosts had looked unlikelytothreatenfollowingtheloss of top-scoring opener D’arcy Short lbw to the impressive Krunal Pandya on 33. But fine late resistance from Marcus Stoinis and Nathan Coulternile, unbeaten on 25 and 13 respectively, set a daunting challenge for their opponents.

Despite a solid enough start by openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma the outcome was far from assured by the time Kohli came to the crease. But the captain was in no mood to mess around, as he joined with Dinesh Karthik to rattle up a fifth-wicket stand of 60 in just 39 balls.

India’s victory was also sealed by a fine bowling performance by Pandya, who finished with four for 36 from his four overs.