The focus remains firmly on the World Cup but India would also be desperate to ensure that a home series does not slip out of their grip when they take on Australia in the second and final T20 International at Bengaluru on February 27.
India are a match down after an inexplicably poor batting performance led to a three-wicket loss in the lung-opener in Visakhapatnam.
The below-par 126 with the bat on Sunday denied bowlers a decent shot at securing a win even though the Jasprit Bumrah-led attack did all it could to keep the home team in the game till the final over of the match.
India skipper Virat Kohli has already said that his squad composition for the World Cup in May-July is "more or less sorted" but has not ruled out rewarding standout performances over the course of two T20s and five ODIs.
Considering the captain's current frame of mind, both K L Rahul and Rishabh Pant are likely to feature in most of the games against Australia.
India rested opener Shikhar Dhawan to give game time to Rahul, who grabbed the opportunity with both hands by smashing 50 off 36 balls in his comeback game.
He had a disastrous Test tour of Australia before he and Hardik Pandya were provisionally suspended for their loose talk on women during a TV show.
The ban was later revoked though they still face an inquiry.
With the series on the line, it remains to be seen if Dhawan is brought back into the side to open alongside Rohit Sharma or the team retains the opening combination which featured in Vizag.
"Anything is possible now. We want to give game time to Rahul and Pant to figure out what we need to do in the World Cup," Kohli said after the first T20.
While Bumrah showed his class after coming back from a break, the other pacer in Umesh Yadav leaked runs and was not able to defend 14 in the final over.
India could replace Umesh with Siddharth Kaul or bring in all-rounder Vijay Shankar to beef-up the batting department.
The hosts played with a long tail in Vizag and that impacted their final total following an inexplicable batting collapse from 69 for one in the ninth over.
Pant, a strong contender for a World Cup berth, will be itching to perform after getting out cheaply in the first fixture, and so will be Dinesh Karthik, who is left with just one game to make a compelling contribution before the World Cup.
All eyes will once again also be on Mahendra Singh Dhoni the batsman who struggled to an unbeaten 29 off 37 balls as India managed 126 for seven in Vizag.
He was able to silence his critics with a solid showing in Australia and New Zealand but his rather slow innings on has got the tongues wagging again over his waning finishing abilities.
Debutant leg-spinner Mayank Markande (0/31 in four overs) did not pick up a wicket but bowled well according to Kohli. The 21-year-old might get another game.
Australia, on the other hand, will be fancying a rare series win against India in recent times, especially after losing the Test and ODI series at home to Kohli's team.
They would be happy with their bowling on a slow surface in the first game but made a mess of the 127-run target after cruising at one stage.
Australia somehow got over the line but they know that India won't be serving the series win on a platter and will come hard at them at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Captain Aaron Finch would love to be back among the runs and the team will be expecting another blinder from Glenn Maxwell, who hit 56 off 43 deliveries in Vizag.
Aaron Finch
(winning captain): Anytime that you can win any kind of series against India in India is truly special. Glenn Maxwell was truly sensational tonight but I thought Adam Zampa was the difference between the two sides. To go for just 23 runs on that kind of a wicket was really remarkable. We've been on a journey for the last 10-11 months building upto the World Cup and there has been some pain during the journey. We've done well to take the blows but also have made some progress, hoping to peak at the right time for the World Cup.
Glenn Maxwell
(Player of the Match and the Series): We were just talking about how we haven't had a lot of success here. To come and perform as well as we have in these two T20s, it's a great start to this tour. I think it helps playing a big bulk of T20 in the domestic tournament back home and come here. It was a pretty good wicket, so we were able to wait for anything slightly off line or length. We just needed to get it to about 11 or 12 an over for the last four overs, and back ourselves from there. After D'Arcy's dismissal it was up to me to sit around and drive the innings forward. Pete Handscomb did a great job of getting off strike and being busy. We were able to keep consistently having good overs, and keep the run rate in check.
Virat Kohli
(Losing captain):Pretty short series to summarize the performances. Australia outplayed us in all departments and deserved to win. 190 is a good total on most grounds but if there is so much dew as there was tonight and when you have an innings like what Glenn Maxwell played, nothing much you can do. Every team is looking to take each game like that but it's also important to win matches. We would have liked to get across the line in at least this game but I can't be too hard on the bowlers due to the amount of dew. We wanted to give everyone some game time, we've seen how they react under pressure, there is a series coming up and we'll try more things. It's upto them to deliver the goods. The good thing was that the Bangalore wicket was back to normal and you could trust the lengths. I enjoyed myself but it didn't really matter as we lost the game.
Australia 194/3 after 19.4 overs
Kaul starts with a wide full toss which Maxwell drives hard towards extra cover for a single. The 2nd ball is another yorker outside off which Handscomb guides to backward point for a run. Maxwell walks down the pitch and takes the 3rd ball on the full lifting it straight down the ground for a SIX. That was brilliantly timed by the Aussie. The 4th ball is short and Maxwell backs away to launch it through extra-cover for a FOUR. That seals the win for the Australian’s. They wrap up the series 2-0.
Australia 182/3 after 19 overs
Bumrah to bowl the penultimate over. Maxwell edges the 1st ball past the keeper and they pick up a single. That brings up the HUNDRED for the Aussie. What an innings it has been from him coming off just 50 balls. The 2nd ball is a wide yorker which Handscomb guides to backward point for a run. Bumrah sends down another brilliant yorker which Maxwell just about manages to dig out to square leg for a single. Handscomb drives the 4th ball right into the stumps at the non-striker’s end. He then works the 5th ball to long-on for a run. Maxwell takes the same route as they pick up a single off the last ball. 9 runs required off the final over. Can Kaul pull off something spectacular?
HUNDRED up for Maxwell! 100 (50)
no-ball
Siddarth Kaul comes back into the attack. He starts with a slower short ball and Maxwell is early into the shot as the ball travels back to the keeper. The next delivery is another slower ball but this time Maxwell punishes him with a SIX straight down the ground. He then flicks the 3rd ball to deep midwicket for a single. Kaul sends down a good yorker on the 4th delivery but Handscomb manages to dig it out past backward point for 2 runs. Handscomb drives the 5th ball to long-on for a single. The last ball is a high full toss from Kaul and Maxwell smokes it over long-on for a SIX. It gets worse as the umpire signals a which means a free-hit is coming up. Kaul sends down another full toss which Maxwell hits straight down the throat of Shankar at long-on but it won’t count as they pick up a single. 18 runs off that over. Australia need just 14 runs off 12 balls to win.
Australia 177/3 after 18 overs
Australia 159/3 after 17 overs
Jasprit Bumrah comes back into the attack. Handscomb chops the 1st ball to point and a diving Krunal does brilliantly to stop the ball. A needless overthrow allows them to pick up a single. Maxwell stays put on the 2nd ball and lifts it over cover for a FOUR. He drives the next ball to long-off for a single. Handscomb guides the 4th delivery down to third man for a run. Bumrah looks for the slower delivery but Maxwell spots it and pulls the ball powerfully through deep midwicket for a FOUR. He then slices the last ball to deep backward point for a single. 12 runs from that Bumrah over. Australia need 32 from 18 balls to win.
Australia 147/3 after 16 overs
Chahal to bowl out. Maxwell plays the 1st ball with soft hands to the leg-side and they come back for the second. The 2nd ball is drifting onto the pads and Maxwell sweep-slogs the ball over backwards square for a SIX. The 3rd ball is just outside off and Maxwell gets in position early as he reverse sweeps the ball over deep point for back-to-back SIXES. That was a beautiful shot by the Australian. Maxwell clips the 4th ball to deep midwicket for a single. Handscomb rotates strike with a single to deep cover. Maxwell looks to chop the last ball but misses. 16 runs off the over. Australia need 44 off 24 balls to win.
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Krunal to bowl his final over. Maxwell looks to slog 1st ball but misses. Krunal goes outside off and Maxwell doesn’t attack it. The 2nd ball is pulled to long-on for a single. Handscomb lifts the 3rd ball over backwards square leg for a run. Maxwell goes for the reverse sweep but misses as Krunal appeals for LBW. The umpire isn’t interested though. Maxwell then takes a step forward and launches the 5th ball straight down the ground for a SIX. He swings hard at the last ball but doesn’t connect as they get a single at fine leg. 10 off the over.
Australia 131/3 after 15 overs
Australia 121/3 after 14 overs
Yuzvendra Chahal comes back into the attack. He starts with a dot ball as Handscomb finds the man at extra cover. The 2nd ball is flicked to deep midwicket for a run. Maxwell rotates strike with a single to cover-point. Handscomb dances out and lifts the 4th ball with an inside-out shot over extra cover for a FOUR. Both batsmen pick up singles to end the over. 8 runs come off it. Australia need 70 off 36 to win.
Australia 113/3 after 13 overs
Krunal into his 3rd over now. He starts with a fuller delivery which Handscomb pushes to long-off for a single. Maxwell misses with the flick but they pick up a leg bye. Handscomb punches the 3rd ball to long-on for a run. Krunal sends the 4th ball onto the stumps and Maxwell gets it off the inside half of his bat back towards the bowler as he looks to punch. Maxwell guides the 5th ball through midwicket for a single. That brings up the FIFTY for Maxwell. Back-to-back half centuries for the Australian in the series. Handscomb works the last ball to long-on for a single. Just 5 runs off the over. India needed a tight over.
FIFTY up for Maxwell! 50 (28)
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CAUGHT! Shankar starts with a leg break and Short who was looking to hit down the ground ends up slicing it high towards Rahul who makes no mistake at cover. Important wicket for India as Short looked well-set. Peter Handscomb is the new man in. Maxwell chops the 2nd ball straight to the man at backward point. The 3rd ball is another leg break but Maxwell tickles it fine for a FOUR. Maxwell flicks the next ball to backward square leg for a single. Handscomb chops the 5th ball to point for a run. Shankar sends the last ball and has to reload. He pitches the ball short this time and Maxwell punishes him but pulling it powerfully over deep midwicket for a SIX. 13 runs and a wicket off the over.
Australia 108/3 after 12 overs
WICKET! Short c Rahul b Shankar 40 (28)
Shankar sends down a slow leg-cutter and Short slices it high towards cover where Rahul takes a comfortable catch.
Australia 95/2 after 11 overs
Pandya continues. Maxwell is cramped for room on the 1st ball as he misses with the pull. He guides the next ball to long-on for a single. Short flicks the 3rd ball to backward square leg for a run. Maxwell smacks the 4th delivery straight down the ground for a FOUR. The 5th delivery is chipped in the air but it’s beyond the reach of Pandya as they pick up a single. Short works the last ball to long-off for a run. 8 off the over. Australia need 96 off 54 balls to win.
Australia 87/2 after 10 overs
Chahal continues. Maxwell drives the 1st ball to long-on for a single. DROPPED! Short doesn’t read the googly and ends up slicing the ball towards Pant at point. He dives forward but the ball goes right through his arms for a single. Maxwell extends his front foot and lofts the 3rd ball over extra cover for a SIX. He then guides the next ball to point for a single. Short is having trouble with the googly as he mistimes a short high towards long off for a single. Lucky for him is lands short of the fielder there. Maxwell ends the over with a single. 11 runs come off it.
Australia 76/2 after 9 overs
Krunal Pandya comes into the attack. Maxwell punches the 1st delivery straight towards the man at cover. He pulls the next ball through midwicket for a single. Short waits back and cuts the 3rd ball late sending it past a diving point fielder for a FOUR. He then taps the next ball to long-off for a single. Maxwell cuts the 5th ball to backward square leg for a run. That brings up the 50-run partnership between the two batsmen. The last ball is tossed outside off and Short lifts right over the bowler's head for a FOUR. 11 runs off the over. India need to find a way to break this partnership.
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Yuzvendra Chahal comes into the attack. Short tucks the 1st ball to midwicket for a single. Maxwell sits back and powerfully whips the 2nd ball through midwicket for a FOUR. He then gets a leading edge on the next ball for a single. Chahal sends the next ball outside off and has to reload. Short works the 4th delivery to midwicket for a single. Chahal tosses the next delivery wide outside off to Maxwell. He is trying to draw Maxwell into another risky shot but the Aussie doesn’t take the bait. The 5th delivery is quicker onto the stumps and Maxwell whips it to deep midwicket for 2 runs. He then sits back and cuts the last ball to sweeper cover for a single. 12 off the over.
Australia 65/2 after 8 overs
Australia 53/2 after 7 overs
Vijay Shankar comes back into the attack. He starts with a slower ball which Short whips through midwicket, Chahal does well to cut off the boundary and restrict them to a single. The next ball is short and wide outside off which Maxwell pulls to square leg for a FOUR. Shankar responds well with a slower delivery which Maxwell mistimes. Maxwell pulls the 4th ball towards point for a single. The next delivery is a shorter length ball which is slipping down leg and Short pulls it over square leg for a FOUR. Shankar ends with a slower delivery again which Short whips to deep midwicket for a run. 11 off the over. Australia need 138 from 78 balls to win.
Australia 42/2 after 6 overs
Siddarth Kaul comes back into the attack. Short drives the 1st delivery straight to the man at mid-off. He picks the gap on the next delivery beautifully as he sends the ball through extra cover for a FOUR. Short pulls the 3rd ball to deep square for a single. Maxwell rotates strike with a single to the leg-side. The 5th delivery is a juicy full toss wide outside off and Short smacks it through covers for a FOUR. He ends the over with a single through midwicket. 11 runs off the over. Australia need 149 from 84 balls to win.
Australia 31/2 after 5 overs
Jasprit Bumrah comes back into the attack. Glenn Maxwell is the new batsman at the crease. Short misses with the flick on the first ball but it strikes him high on the pad. He struggles to take runs off the next ball. Short pushes the 3rd delivery to mid-off for a single. Maxwell takes the same route as they rotate strike. Short flicks the 5th delivery off the pads to deep square for a run. Maxwell looks for the pull on the final delivery but gets a top-edge which travels high past the keeper for a SIX. He was lucky that carried past the boundary. 9 runs off the over.
Australia 22/2 after 4 overs
Vijay Shankar comes back into the attack. He starts well with two dot balls to Short. The Australian opener tucks the 3rd ball to deep square for a single. The 4th delivery is drifting onto the pads and Finch guides it effortlessly to fine leg for a FOUR. Shankar sends down another back of a length delivery which Finch pushes down the pitch. CAUGHT! Shankar pitches the ball slightly outside off and Finch ends up slicing the ball high towards Dhawan at cover. This is great for India as they pick up two quick wickets. Just 5 runs and a wicket off the over.
WICKET! Finch c Dhawan b Shankar 8 (7)
Finch swings hard but ends up slicing the ball high towards cover where Dhawan takes an easy catch.
Australia 17/1 after 3 overs
Siddarth Kaul comes into the attack. He starts with a full length delivery outside off which Stoinis defends in to the off-side. BOWLED! Kaul gets the ball to nip in ever so slightly and Stoinis who was looking for the big shot misses as the ball rattles into the stumps. Aaron Finch is the new man in. He swings the first delivery he faces but misses. Finch cuts the 4th delivery powerfully towards point and Rahul does well to get a hand to it and keep them down to 2 runs. The 5th delivery is hit towards point again and this time Rahul misfields allowing them to take 2. Kaul does brilliantly as he ends the over with a dot ball. Just 4 runs and a wicket from the over.
WICKET! Stoinis b Kaul 7 (11)
Kaul sends down a back of a length delivery which only just moves in slightly. Stoinis looks to play across the line but misses as the ball crashes into the stumps.
Australia 13/0 after 2 overs
Jasprit Bumrah comes into the attack. He starts with a back of a length delivery which Short guides past backward point for a single. Stoinis punches the 2nd ball through the gap at cover for 2 runs. Bumrah sends down three consecutive dot balls to put the pressure on Stoinis. The Australian punches the final delivery towards point for a single. Brilliant start by Bumrah. Just 4 runs off the over.
Australia 9/0 after the first over
Shankar starts with a delivery onto the stumps and Short drives it beautifully into the gap at extra cover for a FOUR. Short then gets a leading edge on the 2nd ball sending it to the off-side for a single. Stoinis defends the 3rd delivery but pulls the next ball powerfully through midwicket for a FOUR. Kohli isn’t happy with Shankar there as that ball was short and wide asking to be hit. Shankar does better as he corrects his length and sends down two dot balls to end the over. 9 runs off the first over.
D'Arcy Short and Marcus Stoinis will open the innings. Vijay Shankar has the ball for the first over with Short on strike.
The players are out on the pitch for the start of the Australian innings.
What a splendid innings by the Indian skipper. Kohli has ruled at M. Chinnaswamy stadium once again His 72 along with Dhoni's and Rahul's innings has helped India put up a huge total. This is a much improved batting performace from the home side. The picth is looking great for batting. Australia can launch an equally powerful counter-attack. Does Indian bowling have enough teeth to stop the likes of Glenn Maxwell and D'Arcy Short? We have to wait and watch.
India
Cummins to bowl the last over. Dhoni is on strike. India would be aiming 190. WIDE! Poor delivery to start the over. WIDE! Another wide way outside the off-stump. Poor way to start the last over of the innings. CAUGHT! Fuller delivery with cross seam and Dhoni looks to play a big shot but gets a leading edge and the ball goes high in the night sky and Finch standing at long-off takes an easy catch. Kohli on strike. He gets a single off the second ball. DK is the new batsman. FOUR! He gets a single off his very first ball. FOUR! Another boundary. Short ball outside off and Karthik plays a late late cut. One leg Bye. Next ball hits DK on the pads and two batsmen take a quick single. Kohi to face the last ball. SIX! Fuller ball and Kohli slams the ball over long-off. What a finish! 18 runs off the over.
190/3 after 20 overs
Wicket! Dhoni c Finch b Pat Cummins 40(23)
Fuller delivery with cross seam and Dhoni looks to play a big shot but gets a leading edge and the ball goes high in the night sky and Finch standing at long-off takes an easy catch
India
Richardson is back to bowl. Kohli is on strike. Swing and a miss on first ball. WIDE! Bowler goes full on the second ball but the ball is over the off-side marker line. SIX! Fuller ball and Kohli punches the ball over long-off for a maximum. Third ball is a full-toss and Kohli plays it down to long-off and takes a single. Dhoni is on strike. 8 runs off the over so far. Dhoni gets a single off the fourth ball. Kohli is back on strike. Kohli plays the fifth ball through cover and takes two quick runs. FOUR! What a great great shot. Fuller ball and Kohli whips the ball over the bowler’s head for a boundary. 15 runs off the over.
172/3 after 19 overs
India
Short to bowl. Kohli is on strike. The batsman gets a single off the first ball. Dhoni is on strike. SIX. In the slot and Dhoni whips the bat hard and deposits the ball deep into the stands. Dhoni and Kohli get two singles off next two balls. Dhoni on strike. SIX! Another huge huge shot by Dhoni. FOUR! Short ball and Dhoni cuts the ball through point. 19 runs off the over.
157/3 after 18 overs
India
Zampa will bowl. Kohli is on strike. The Indian skipper starts off with a single down to long-on. Dhoni is back on strike. Dhoni gets a single off the second ball. Kohli is back on strike. Third ball is a dot. Fourth ball is again a dot. Kohli plays the fifth ball rto deep mid wicket and completes his fifty. Dhoni is on strike. Last ball is a dot. Just 3 runs off the over.
138/3 after 17 overs
FIFTY up for Kohli! 50 (29)
India
Coulter-Nile will bowl. Dhoni is on strike. The batsman gets a couple on the first ball. Dhoni gets a single on the second ball. Kohli is back on strike. SIX. Top shot. Kohli lifts the ball over mid-wicket for a maximum. SIX! Another biggie and this time over cover. SIX! Kohli is punishing the bowler. He comes down the track and lifts the ball over square-leg. Kohli gets a single off the last ball. 22 runs off the over.
135/3 after 16 overs
India
Richardson is back to bowl. Kohli is on strike. The batsman starts off with a single down to third-man. Dhoni is back on strike. FOUR! Short and wide and Dhoni cuts the ball through point for a boundary. Dhoni works the next ball through cover and gets a single. Kohli is back on strike. SIX! What a shot! Fuller delivery and Indian skipper makes room for himself and hits a flat six over cover. Kohli gets a couple towards third-man on the next ball. Swing and a miss. Another big over for India.
113/3 after 15 overs
India
Bowling change. Cummins is back. Kohli is on strike. The batsman hits the first ball inside out over the infield and gets two runs. Kohli plays the second ball to fine-leg and gets a single. Dhoni is on strike. Third ball is a dot. FOUR! Fuller ball right in the slot and Dhoni hits the ball straight down the ground for a boundary. Dhoni works the fifth ball to fine-leg and settles for a single. Kohli on strike. Last ball is short and wide and the batsman works the ball through cover and gets a single. 9 runs off the over.
99/3 after 14 overs
India
Short continues. Kohli is on strike. He starts off with a single off the first ball. Dhoni is on strike. Second ball is a dot. SIX! Short ball and Dhoni whips the ball over mid-wicket for a maximum. Fourth ball is a dot. Dhoni plays the fifth ball through off side and gets a single. Kohli is on strike. The batsman gets a single on the last ball. 9 runs off the over.
90/3 after 13 overs
India
Zampa is back. Kohli is on strike. The batsman gets a single off the first ball and gives Dhoni the strike. No runs off next two balls. Dhoni plays the fourth ball down to long-off and takes a single. Kohli is on strike. FOUR! Short and wide and Kohli cuts the ball through point for a boundary. Kohli closes the over with a single to sweeper cover. 7 runs off the over.
81/3 after 12 overs
India
Bowling change. Sort has been asked to bowl. Kohli is on strike. He gets a single off the first ball. Pant is on strike. No runs off next three deliveries. Pant finding it difficult to time the ball and pierce the gaps. Caught! What a splendid catch. Fuller ball and Pant hits the ball hard in desperation and the ball goes to long-off where a diving Richardson takes a brilliant catch. Dhoni is the new batsman. Last ball is a dot. Great over by Short as he gives away just one run and picks a wicket.
74/3 after 11 overs
Wicket! Pant c J Richardson b D Arcy Short 1(6)
What a splendid catch. Fuller ball and Pant hits the ball hard in desperation and the ball goes to long-off where a diving Richardson takes a brilliant catch
India
Behrendorff is back to bowl. Dhawan is on strike. First ball is a dot. CAUGHT! Fuller delivery and Dhawan walks down the track and lifts the ball over in-field but he has not timed the ball well and Stoinis rushing in from deep takes a catch. But has the ball bounced? On field umpire refers that to third-umpired with the soft signal as out. Third-umpire stays with the decision of the on-field umpire’s decision. Dhawan has to walk back. Kohli on strike. He takes a single on the third ball. Rishabh Pant is the new batsman. Fourth ball is a dot. Pant plays the fifth ball to backward square leg and opens his account. Kohli gets a single off the last ball. 3 runs and a wicket off the over.
73/2 after 10 overs
Wicket! Dhawan c Stoinis b Behrendorff 14(24)
Fuller delivery and Dhawan walks down the track and lifts the ball over in-field but he has not timed the ball well and Stoinis rushing in from deep takes a catch
India
Zampa continues. Dhawan is on strike. The batsman starts the over with a single. Kohli is on strike. Second ball is a dot. Third ball is again a dot. Kohli plays the fourth ball to long-on and takes a single. Dhawan is back on strike. He plays the fifth ball down to square-leg and gets another single. Kohli plays the last ball down to long-on and runs two runs. 5 runs off the over.
70/1 after 9 overs
India
Nathan Coulter-Nile is back. Rahul is on strike. CAUGHT! Slow and short ball outside off which Rahul tries to lift over third-man but the ball doesn’t have much pace to clear the fielder and Richardson standing in deep takes an easy catch. Virat Kohli walks out. He plays the second ball down to third-man and is off the mark right away. Dhawan is on strike. Third ball is a dot. The batsman gets a single off the fourth ball. Kohli gets another single off the fifth ball. Dhawan gets a single off the last ball. 4 runs and a wicket off the over.
65/1 after overs
Wicket ! Rahul c J Richardson b Coulter-Nile 47(26)
Slow and short ball outside off which Rahul tries to lift over third-man but the ball doesn’t have much pace to clear the fielder and Richardson standing in deep takes an easy catch.
India
Adam Zampa to bowl. Dhawan on strike. First ball is short and wide and Dhawan plays the ball to cover and takes a single. Rahul is on strike. FOUR! Fuller ball going down leg and all Rahul does is get a soft touch on the ball and the ball goes down fine-leg for a boundary. Rahul and Dhawan get two singles off next two deliveries. Rahul on strike for fifth ball. Fifth ball is a dot. Rahul plays the last ball of the over to cover and gest a single. 8 runs off the over.
61/0 after 7 overs
