Ind vs Aus: Australia set 172 run target for India in 1st T20I

NEW DELHI: Matthew Wade's 72 and David Hussey's 42 powered Australia to post 171/4 in the first Twenty20 international of the two-match series against India at Sydney.

Match Scorecard 

Wade has been the star of Australian innings whose swashbuckling knock came in just 43 balls that included five boundaries and three huge sixes. Part time bowler Suresh Raina ended Wade's blistering innings to give India vital breakthrough.

David Hussey also played useful knock, scored 42 runs in 30 balls with the help of one four and three sixes.

Australia lost Wade early when the play resumed after the rain has stopped play when the hosts reached 131/2 in 14.4 overs. 

Matthew Wade reached his maiden Twenty20 international half-century with a six that also brought up Australia's hundred in the 13th over.

R Ashwin had Travis Birt caught by Suresh Raina in the covers as Australia lost their second wicket in the tenth over in the first match of the two-match series.

R Vinay Kumar gave India the first breakthrough when he had David Warner caught by Raina in the covers.

Vinay bowled a fullish length delivery angling into the batsman, at 128.4 kph, Warner hopped back a bit to the leg side for the heave across the line but got a top edge. It flew high in the air and Raina took a regulation catch at covers.

Warner smashed two sixes and a four in his 14-ball 25.

The breakthrough came after Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and chose to bowl.

After winning the toss, Dhoni said that the pitch looked like a good wicket and it was good to know the target.

Australian skipper George Bailey said that he would have batted anyways and added that they are a very balanced side. Three debutants for Australia - Bailey, James Faulkner and Xavier Doherty.

The Indians would look to turn the table in their favour after a mediocre Test series and Dhoni has a talented pool of youngsters at his disposal.

Dhoni would be hoping for lady luck to smile on him in the first of the two T20 matches ahead of the tri-series, featuring hosts Australia and Sri Lanka.

Teams: 

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Capt.), Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Rahul Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, R Vinay Kumar, Praveen Kumar.

Australia: George Bailey (Capt.), David Warner, Matthew Wade, Travis Birt, David Hussey, Mitchell Marsh, Daniel Christian, James Faulkner, Brad Hogg, Brett Lee, Xavier Doherty.