India vs Australia, 2nd T20I: Stand-in-Skipper Matthew Wade surpasses Aaron Finch in a batting record

Matthew Wade recorded the fastest Twenty20 International (T20I) half-century by an Australian batsman against Team India on Sunday.

Wade, who is the stand-in-skipper in the absence of injured Australia's regular limited-overs captain Aaron Finch, achieved the record in the ongoing second T20I between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Wade reached the 50-run mark off 25 balls, surpassing the previous record held by Finch (27 balls). Next in the list of fastest T20I fifty by an Australian batsman against India are Glenn Maxwell and Shane Watson – 28 balls.

Wade scored a 32-ball 58 before getting run out in the first innings after being asked to bat. The wicketkeeper-batsman struck 10 fours and a six en route his second T20I half-century. Interestingly, Wade's first T20I fifty also had come against India. Batting in his third T20I innings, Wade had scored a 43-ball 72 in 2012 and the same venue was also the SCG.

On Sunday, after Wade's dismissal, Steve Smith took charge in the middle as he scored a 38-ball 46. Even though he could not hit the ball with ease, he struck two sixes and three fours in his knock. Maxwell produced a cameo of 22 off 13 balls. Indian fast bowler T Natarajan once again was impressive with the ball, courtesy of his figures of 2 for 20 in four overs.

Speaking on Finch's absence in Sydney on Sunday, Australia head coach Justin Langer said," "Finch texted me this morning and said he was 70-30 to play. He was close but he started moving and it wasn't right. He has a small tear in his glute. He is a chance to play Tuesday."

Finch, whose last four innings read as 35, 75, 60, and 114, has been in a terrific form, and India captain Virat Kohli admitted at the toss that India chose to bowl in the second T20I because they wanted to make full use of Finch's absence in their favour.

"We will bowl first. Pitch looked really nice in the second half of the previous games we played. They are missing Aaron Finch today, so we want to restrict them and chase it down. Chahal replaces Jadeja. Thakur replaces Shami. Iyer in for Pandey," Kohli said at the toss.

Even without Finch, Australia managed to put up a respectable total of 194 for 5 in 20 overs.