Hobart, Nov 2 (NationPress) Despite not bowling, all-rounder Washington Sundar made a significant impact with an unbeaten 49 runs off 23 balls, leading India to a five-wicket victory over Australia in the third T20I at the Bellerive Oval on Sunday. As India chased a target of 187, the top seven players contributed in varying degrees, but it was Sundar's late-game surge, which included three fours and four sixes, that clinched the match for India with nine balls to spare, leveling the five-match series at 1-1. This match also marked Australia's first loss in six T20 Internationals held in Hobart.

Despite Nathan Ellis taking three wickets, Australia couldn't stop India's momentum in the final overs. Arshdeep Singh played a pivotal role in India's success, claiming three wickets and maintaining pressure, as Australia set a total of 186/6, with Tim David scoring 74 runs and Marcus Stoinis adding 64.

India began their innings aggressively, with Abhishek showcasing his form by hitting Xavier Bartlett for a six and following up with two fours and a six off Sean Abbott. However, the tide turned quickly as Nathan Ellis took two wickets in rapid succession, dismissing Abhishek and trapping Shubman Gill lbw.

With both openers out, Suryakumar Yadav sought to stabilize the innings, hitting sixes off Ellis and Abbott, but fell to a slower ball from Stoinis in the eighth over. Four overs later, Axar Patel was dismissed after being cramped by a bouncer from Ellis.

During this turmoil, Sundar began his onslaught, smashing Ellis for a six over mid-wicket and pulling a boundary off Kuhnemann. He shifted the momentum decisively in India's favor by scoring 19 runs from Abbott in the 14th over, including a massive six.

Australia momentarily fought back as Tilak Varma fell to Bartlett, but Jitesh Sharma’s boundaries and Sundar's powerful shots, including a six, propelled India forward. Jitesh capped off the chase with a stylish lofted drive over extra cover.

Earlier, David's explosive innings came off just 38 balls with eight fours and five sixes, while Stoinis contributed with eight fours and two sixes in his 39-ball innings. Arshdeep's impressive figures of 3-35 and Varun Chakaravarthy's 2-33 were critical in restricting Australia.

Australia's innings started with Travis Head hitting Arshdeep for a four but fell on the next ball. Arshdeep struck again, dismissing Josh Inglis. David, promoted to number four, was aggressive, smashing boundaries off both Arshdeep and Bumrah.

He hit Chakaravarthy for six and four in the spinner’s first over and was given a lifeline when Sundar dropped a catch. David continued dominating, hitting two colossal sixes off Patel, one of which reached the stadium roof.

Despite a late surge from Stoinis and Short, Australia managed to score over 180 runs before Stoinis fell to Arshdeep in the final over.

Final Scores: Australia 186/6 in 20 overs (Tim David 74, Marcus Stoinis 64; Arshdeep Singh 3-35, Varun Chakaravarthy 2-33) lost to India 188/5 in 18.3 overs (Washington Sundar 49*, Tilak Varma 29; Nathan Ellis 3-36, Marcus Stoinis 1-22) by five wickets.