Chasing a modest 126, Australia crossed the finish line with 40 balls to spare, thanks to a strong start from Travis Head (28) and Marsh, whose fluent strokeplay set the tone early.
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav joined Gill and immediately set the tone, launching a trademark flick over deep backward square leg, his 150th six in T20 internationals, to get off the mark in style.
India had earlier posted 264/9 after being inserted to bat in testing morning conditions, with Rohit Sharma making 73, Shreyas Iyer hitting 61 and Axar Patel chipping in with 44.
India started strongly, controlling possession and dictating the tempo in the opening quarter. Australia had an early chance, but goalkeeper Prince Deep Singh pulled off a fine save to keep the scores level.
“If you see Kranti Gaud bowling and today Sree Charani against Australia, against top quality players, she ended up giving what, 40 odd runs in her 10 overs and picked up those important wickets. I think they have been exceptional, both of them,” he said.
India’s openers had given the hosts a dream start in Vizag, with Smriti Mandhana (80 off 66) and the promising Pratika Rawal (75 off 96) putting on a 155-run stand for the first wicket.
The fixture had been set to mark the venue’s first-ever match under lights, but planning setbacks and ongoing work affecting spectator access left Cricket Australia (CA) with no option but to move the game to Tasmania.
The Indian men’s hockey team is set to tour Australia in August for a four-match series, set to be held at the Perth Hockey Stadium from August 15 to 21.
Ashwin, who announced his retirement following the conclusion of the third Test against Australia at the Gabba, Brisbane, said he had first contemplated retirement following his 100th Test (against England in Dharamsala) in the early part of last year.
The Border-Gavaskar series may have ended on a disappointing note for India with several stalwarts failing to deliver when the team needed them the most during the 1-3 loss -- their first in a decade, but one player left everyone speechless and earned praises from his teammates and opposition alike.
