In the end, not even a blazing cameo from their skipper Matthew Wade was enough to secure Australia a consolation victory in the final Twenty20 International on Sunday night. The visitors made heavy weather of what ought to have been a regulation chase, finding novel methods to throw their wickets as India’s faster bowlers came good at the death at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Spinners Ravi Bishnoi and Axar Patel had taken three for 43 in eight overs to make India’s modest 160 for eight appear bigger than it was on a track that had a little extra bounce, but after the blazing start provided by Travis Head and the fiery ball-striking which netted Ben McDermott his highest T20I score, Australia would have fancied their chances heading into the final five overs needing 45 with five wickets in hand.