Australia beat India by three wickets in 1st T20

Visakhapatnam, India: Glenn Maxwell hit a crucial half-century to help Australia beat India by three wickets in the first Twenty20 international in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.

Chasing a tricky 127 for victory, the tourists made the target on the last ball of the match to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Maxwell top-scored with 56 off 43 balls while Pat Cummins remained unbeaten on seven to complete a nervous chase.

Earlier, fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile claimed three wickets to help restrict India to a modest 126 for seven.

Coulter-Nile returned figures of 3-26 in his four overs after the tourists elected to field first in Visakhapatnam.

K.L. Rahul, who returned the side after being sidelined for sexist comments during a controversial TV chat show appearance with Hardik Pandya, hit 50 off 36 balls.

His 55-run second wicket stand with skipper Virat Kohli, who made 24, gave India a brisk start but the hosts lost momentum after losing three quick wickets.

Adam Zampa got Kohli's prized scalp with his leg spin and Coulter-Nile claimed the wicket of Rahul to check India on a tricky pitch.

Veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni made an unbeaten 29 to give India a more respectable total in the first of the two matches.