When Yuvraj Singh Hammered 17 Runs in Final Over to Seal 3–0 Series Win Against Australia

India had already won the first two matches, and the third T20 was a golden chance to complete a 3-0 clean sweep. Played in Sydney, the match saw strong performances from both sides, but it was India who held their nerves till the end. With a thrilling chase, Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina finished the match in style and it was a historic moment as India whitewashed Australia 3-0 in their own home, a rare and proud achievement.

India vs Australia: 3rd T20 on 31st January 2016

Coming to the electric 3rd T20I at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 31, 2016, this was a match that had everything, big hits, tight bowling, and a finish that went down to the wire. India pulled off a stunning seven-wicket win to chase down Australia’s 197/5, sealing a 3-0 series sweep. Shane Watson’s blazing century lit up the Aussie innings, but India’s batsmen, led by Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Suresh Raina, answered with a chase for the ages.

When Australia won the toss and chose to bat, the Sydney crowd was buzzing, expecting fireworks. They got exactly that, thanks to Shane Watson, who played a knock that’ll be remembered for years. Opening with Usman Khawaja, the Aussies came out swinging. Khawaja didn’t waste time, cracking 14 runs off just 6 balls with two crisp fours. He looked set to dominate, but Ashish Nehra had other plans, getting him caught behind by MS Dhoni in the 2.2nd over. It was a quick jolt, but Watson was unfazed, ready to take charge.

Shaun Marsh walked in, and he and Watson put on a solid 53 runs for the second wicket. Marsh played it steady, scoring 9 off 12 balls with a single four, happy to let Watson do the heavy lifting. Watson was on fire, smashing boundaries all around the park. He reached his fifty off 37 balls, with seven fours and a huge six that had the crowd roaring. But just when Australia seemed to be cruising, Ravichandran Ashwin struck, bowling Marsh with a clever carrom ball in the 7.4th over, and at the end of the powerplay, Australia was 57/1, setting a strong foundation.

Glenn Maxwell, the big-hitting showman, came in next, but his stay was short. Yuvraj Singh, bowling his sneaky left-arm spin, got Maxwell caught by Suresh Raina for just 3 off 5 balls in the 9.1st over. Australia were 75/3, and India sensed a chance to tighten the screws. Enter Travis Head, who joined Watson for a game-changing 93-run stand for the fourth wicket. Head played with freedom, scoring 26 off 19 balls, including a four and a six, while Watson kept the scoreboard ticking. By the 11.4th over, Australia crossed 100, and Watson was closing in on a century.

Watson’s hundred came in the 16th over, a stunning 100 off 60 balls with 10 fours and four sixes. He was seeing the ball like a football, picking gaps and clearing ropes with ease. The Indian bowlers were struggling as Hardik Pandya, in particular, had a tough day, giving away 24 runs in his two overs. Jasprit Bumrah, though, showed his class, getting Chris Lynn out for 13 in the 19.4th over, caught by Ravindra Jadeja. Lynn’s quick cameo had two boundaries, but his exit kept Australia from crossing 200. Jadeja also chipped in, dismissing Head in the 16.6th over, while Nehra and Yuvraj each took a wicket.

Australia finished at 197/5, with Watson unbeaten on a brilliant 124 off 71 balls, a knock that earned him Player of the Match, even in defeat. Cameron Bancroft, the keeper, faced no balls, staying not out on 0. Extras added 8 runs as 4 wides, 2 leg-byes, and 2 no-balls. Nehra was tidy with 1/32, while Bumrah (1/43) and Jadeja (1/41) were pricier. Ashwin’s 1/36 and Yuvraj’s 1/19 gave India some control, but Watson’s dominance made 197 a tough target. It was the highest T20 score in Australia at the time, and India needed something special to chase it down.

Chasing 198 was a tall order, but India’s batsmen were up for it. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan opened with a bang, racing to 46 runs in just 3.2 overs. Dhawan was in a mood, smashing 26 off 9 balls with four fours and a six that sailed into the stands and Shane Watson, leading Australia, brought himself on and got the breakthrough, having Dhawan caught by Cameron Bancroft. Still, India’s power play was explosive, reaching 74/1 in 6 overs. Rohit, playing with his trademark elegance, kept the runs flowing, hitting five fours and a six.

Virat Kohli, fresh off a stellar series, joined Rohit, and the two put on a masterclass. Their 78-run stand for the second wicket took India past 100 in the 9.4th over. Rohit reached his fifty off 35 balls, looking in complete control, while Kohli matched him shot for shot, scoring 50 off 36 balls with two fours and a six. They were making it look easy, but Australia’s leg-spinner Cameron Boyce had other ideas. He struck twice, first getting Rohit caught by Watson for 52 in the 12.3rd over, then bowling Kohli for 50 in the 14.5th over. At 147/3, India needed 51 off the last 33 balls, and the game was on a knife’s edge.

Suresh Raina strode in, ready to take charge. He played a blinder, scoring an unbeaten 49 off 25 balls with six fours and a six. His aggressive strokes kept India in the hunt, and with Yuvraj Singh at the other end, the chase felt alive. Yuvraj, unbeaten on 15 off 12 balls with a four and a six, played second fiddle but hit crucial shots. Their 53-run unbroken partnership for the fourth wicket was the difference, guiding India to 200/3 on the final ball. Raina’s fearless hitting, especially in the death overs, was pure gold. India crossed 150 in the 15.3rd over and sealed the chase with 8 extras (7 wides, 1 bye).

Australia’s bowlers tried hard but couldn’t stop the onslaught. Shaun Tait was hammered for 46 runs in 4 overs, while Andrew Tye gave away 51. Boyce was the star with 2/28, getting the big wickets of Rohit and Kohli. Watson bowled well, taking 1/30, but Scott Boland (0/34) and Glenn Maxwell (0/10 in 1 over) couldn’t turn the tide. Raina and Yuvraj’s composure under pressure, combined with the early fireworks from Dhawan and the solidity of Rohit and Kohli, meant India didn’t need MS Dhoni or the lower order.

This chase was a statement. India’s batsmen showed depth, skill, and nerve to hunt down a massive total, completing a 3-0 series sweep. It was a historic night, with Virat Kohli earning Player of the Series for his 199 runs across the three games. The Sydney crowd witnessed a classic, and India’s victory was a testament to their T20 dominance.