India’s long-awaited tour of Australia commenced on a losing note, with the visitors succumbing to a 4-run defeat (via DLS method) in the opening game of their three-match T20I series at Brisbane.
Messrs Duckworth, Lewis and Stern, and their combined calculative thesis came into action at the Gabba in a rain-affected beginning to India’s tour. A 45-minute rain-break during the Australian innings meant the game reduced to a 17-overs-a-side affair, with India having to chase an adjusted target of 174 to win after Australia finished on 158/4.
The fact that India lost a match by four runs, despite scoring 11 runs more than the opposition, didn’t go unnoticed on Twitter.
While India’s former opening pair – who enjoyed a formidable association Down Under 15 years ago – were pointing out the oddities, a pair of spinners who have had their fair share of success against Australia were excited by a ‘cracking’ start to the series.
Shikhar Dhawan top-scored in India’s run-chase with 76 off 42 balls, in the process surpassing the record for most T20I runs by a batsman in any calendar year, but it was Dinesh Karthik who very nearly pulled off a miracle at the death – not for the first time this year. A statistical quirk around Karthik’s long-but-not-match-laden career soon emerged.
A rain-reduced encounter came down to fine margins. The final calculation, to many on Twitter, was down more to tactics than any other factor.