Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan scored fine half centuries as India defeated Australia by 44 runs in the second T20I at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.
After being asked to bat first, Jaiswal and Gaikwad got India off to a blazing start. The pair added 77 runs for the opening stand before the former mistimed a big hit off Nathan Ellis to Adam Zampa at short third man for a 25 ball-53.
Gaikwad featured in yet another yet another 87 run stand for the second wicket alongside Ishan Kishan before the latter was caught at deep point by Ellis off Marcus Stoinis for 52.
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav (19) struck a couple of lusty hits before perishing to Ellis. Rinku Singh once again provided the finishing touches by scoring a breezy unbeaten 31 off just 9 balls to take India to 235/4 in their 20 overs.
Chasing 236, openers Steve Smith and Matthew Short got Australia off to a brisk start. The duo added 35 for the opening stand before Ravi Bishnoi broke the stand by knocking over Short for 19.
First match centurion Josh Inglis (2) fell to a well judged catch by Tilak Varma for 2. Axar Patel then claimed the prize scalp of Glenn Maxwell (12) caught at long on by Jaiswal as the visitors slumped to 53/3.
Smith then mistimed a short ball from Prasidh Krishna to Jaiswal for 19. The pair of Marcus Stoinis and Tim David resurrected the innings with a valuable 81 run stand for the fifth wicket before the latter perished to Mukesh Kumar for 45.
Ravi Bishnoi then dented Australia hopes by dismissing David for a 22 ball-37. Matthew Wade then scored a valiant unbeaten 23 ball-42, but it was not enough as the Aussies finished at 191/9, thereby losing the contest by 44 runs.
With this win, The Men in Blue take a 2-0 lead in the five match series. The Third T20 international will be played at Guwahati on 28 November, Tuesday.