Josh Inglis in historic Aussie act amid crazy drama in T20 opener against India

An extraordinary record-equalling feat from Josh Inglis proved in vain as Australia went down to India in a final-ball thriller in the opening match of the T20 series in Visakhapatnam. The Indians gained some revenge for their defeat to the Aussies in the ODI Cricket World Cup after clinching a nail-biting two wicket win in the first of five T20i matches between the sides.

Inglis starred for the visitors after belting a stunning 110 off 50 deliveries to help guide the Aussies to an imposing 3-208 on a batter-friendly pitch. The 28-year-old became just the fifth Australian - after Aaron Finch, Glenn Maxwell, Shane Watson and David Warner - to score a T20 international hundred.

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Used as a specialist batter in this series with Matthew Wade taking the gloves for the Aussies, Inglis brought up his hundred off just 47 balls to equal Finch's record as the fastest century by an Aussie in T20i cricket. Inglis crunched 11 fours and eight sixes to notch his maiden international T20 ton for Australia, equalling the record Finch set against England at Southampton in 2013.

Inglis wasn't required to bat in the World Cup final and only made 159 runs at 19.87 in a disappointing showing at the ODI tournament but he flourished after being given the opportunity to bat at No.3 for the Aussies in the T20i opener. Inglis combined with Smith Smith (52) for a 130-run second-wicket stand to put India's unrecognisable, second-string attack under the pump.

India seal victory in crazy final over

Ultimately though, it proved in vain as India sealed victory in a wild final over that saw the hosts lose three wickets. Aussie quick Sean Abbott was smacked to the boundary by Rinku Singh, before bowling a leg bye on second delivery to leave India needing just two wickets for victory.

Crazy scenes then ensued with Abbott removing Axar Patel caught and bowled, before back-to-back run-outs left the scores tied and India needing one run off the final ball for victory. Singh smacked the ball over the boundary for six but it was called a no-ball off Abbott anyway as the Indians got home in a thriller.

Suriyakumar Yadav bludgeoned 80 to have India comfortably placed before Nathan Ellis's tight 19th over set up the grandstand finish. Ravi Bishnoi and Hardeep Singh were both run out for ducks, sacrificed to get Rinku on strike in a ploy that ultimately paid dividends.

India's chase had started poorly, with Ruturaj Gaikwad run out without facing a ball after a horrible mix-up and opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal (21) bunting Matt Short tamely to Smith at mid-off. Suryakumar, who had a ragged World Cup campaign with 106 runs at 17.66, was back in his preferred format and showed why he is the No.1 ranked T20 batter in the world.

Together with Ishan Kishan (58), who spent most of the World Cup on the bench, he added 112 for the third wicket to put India in control. The series has come under fire after being held so close to the end of the World Cup, with Inglis and Smith the only two players to feature for the Aussies backing up from the World Cup final.

"Josh Inglis played a terrific knock for us and got us to a score we thought we could defend," Australia captain Matthew Wade said. "To see him come in at No.3 and play shots from ball one, he was the class batter on the night. But India came out hard and showed their class."

with agencies

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