Krunal Pandya claims maiden four-wicket haul to register best figures by an Indian bowler against Australia in T20 cricket

Krunal Pandya was in sizzling hot form for India in the final T20I against Australia. After his poor showing in the first T20I, the Indian spinner bounced back with great panache to pick up four wickets in the final T20I.

The left-arm spinner also picked up his maiden four-wicket haul in the process to dismiss the Australian top order with some clever bowling. Interestingly, Pandya's magical spell was the best figures registered by an Indian bowler in T20 cricket against Australia.

Pandya started the riot by dismissing opener D Arcy Short (33). He followed it up by taking the prized scalp of the danger-man Glenn Maxwell (13). Riding high on confidence, Pandya sent Ben McDermott packing for a golden duck and had the chance to claim his hat-trick.

However, Alex Carey did well to fend off Pandya's hat-trick delivery. The Mumbai Indians spinner had to wait much later in the game to pick his fourth, with Alex Carey (27) being his victim in his final over.

Pandya was a subject to major flak by fans for his horror showing in the first T20I which India lost. He went wicket less in the game and fans started to wonder as to why he was picked in the squad ahead of Yuzvendra Chahal for the second T20I.

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Though, he repaid the confidence of his skipper Virat Kohli, finishing with figures of 4-0-26-1 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. However, the match was abandoned due to persistent rain.

And now, Krunal Pandya has given his critics a befitting reply after he proved to be the pick of the Indian bowlers with Australia only managing to post 164 runs at the loss of six wickets. Apart from Pandya, chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav claimed one wicket to his name after he sent Australian skipper Aaron Finch (28) back to the pavilion, whereas Chris Lumm was run-out by Jasprit Bumrah.

Though India's record of having not lost a T20 series in recent times comes under a threat with Australia leading the three-match T20 series 1-0.

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