Glenn Maxwell hit an unbeaten 104 as Australia won the third Twenty20 international against India by five wickets, keeping the series alive.
Before flying back home, the swashbuckling batsman hit his century in 47 balls and secured the victory with a six and three fours off the final four balls of the 20th over in Guwahati.
It was Maxwell’s fourth T20 century, joining Rohit Sharma as the most tonnes in the format, and the knock surpassed Ruturaj Gaikwad’s 123 in India’s 222-3.
Along with Aaron Finch and Josh Inglis, his 47-ball century was the fastest by an Australian batsmen in the format.
Australia, which won the ODI World Cup after defeating hosts India in the final earlier this month, trailed the five-match series 2-1 heading into Friday’s fourth T20 in Raipur.
Maxwell smashed eight fours and eight sixes in his 100th T20 international, his final of the series, and put on an undefeated 91-run stand with skipper Matthew Wade, who hit 28.
“It was always going to take our best, and one of the best players that’s ever played T20s for Australia played his 100th game and got a hundred, so pretty special for him,” Wade said of Maxwell, who was named the man of the match.
Australia fell to 68-3, but Maxwell, nicknamed “The Big Show” for his aggressive batting, held firm and tore into the Indian attack despite cramps towards the end.
Maxwell’s knock brought back thoughts of his match-winning 201 not out against Afghanistan in a 50-over World Cup encounter earlier this month, when he completed a stunning chase from 91-7.
sweeping reforms
Travis Head, who joined the team after his match-winning century in the ODI World Cup final, and fellow opener Aaron Hardie attacked.
Head hit 35 off 18 balls but was bowled out by quick bowler Avesh Khan, and Australia soon lost three wickets before the Maxwell blitz.
With Steve Smith and Adam Zampa returning home, the tourists have made significant changes to their lineup midway through the series.
“We really needed this win, and a lot of guys are heading home so a chance for the younger ones to learn how to play in India,” Wade said.
“Hopefully we can take it to the decider with another win in the next game.”
Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Greg Inglis, and Sean Abbott, who won a record-extending sixth 50-over trophy, are scheduled to return home on Wednesday.
Earlier, India had relied on Gaikwad’s maiden international century and a 141-run unbeaten partnership with Tilak Varma to record a massive total that proved insufficient.
Australia chose to bowl first and captured two early wickets, but Gaikwad, who struck 58 in the team’s second victory, ripped through the opposing bowling to reach 100 off 52 balls.
In his 57-ball blitz, he hit 13 fours and seven sixes with Varma, who hit 31 off 24 balls while anchoring at the opposite end.