Arshdeep Singh put 3 forgettable overs behind him and delivered a masterclass of a 20th over while Mukesh Kumar finally got the wickets to show for his efforts.

For any frontline fast bowler, starting their team's defence of a target of 161 in a T20 match, at a venue almost notorious for being a batting paradise, by conceding a hat-trick of fours might just seal the fact that they have had a bad day. But not if the bowler is Arshdeep Singh at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday.

After Shreyas Iyer's half-century and a late surge from Jitesh Sharma and Axar Patel dragged India to 160/8 batting first in their fifth T20I against Australia, Arshdeep's stint with the ball started with Travis Head thrashing him for three fours off the first three balls. That over ended up going for 14 runs and it didn't get much better for the 24-year-old left-arm pacer. Not for a while, at least. He didn't bowl again in the first 10 overs and returned in the 13th. Arshdeep seemed to be doing well until he missed a yorker off the fifth ball and Ben McDermott hit him for a six over deep point. He conceded another 12 runs in his third over but ended it with dismissing McDermott, who had scored 54 in 36 balls. It turned out to be a crucial moment in the match, with Australia clearing missing the set batter in the last five overs, in which they needed 45 runs to win.

But Australia captain Matthew Wade found his footing and brought the equation down to his side needing just 10 to win off the last over, which was to be bowled by Arshdeep. He had shipped a total of 37 runs in her three overs and had not managed to keep the concession below 10 throughout the match. However, when the time came, Arshdeep found his mark. He started off with a bouncer and then, finally, nailed the yorker that he had been missing and paying for so many times in the earlier overs. He marginally missed a yorker next ball but it was still a good enough delivery to dismiss Wade and all of a sudden, India were firmly in the driver's seat. He then followed it up with two searing inswinging full deliveries and then another yorker to close the game out for India. After going at well over 10 an over, Arshdeep conceded just three in the last over and got a wicket. If anybody had doubts over whether the lanky pacer can deliver in those "clutch" moments in international cricket, Arshdeep gave them a glimpse of what he can do.

(With inputs from agencies)