NEW DELHI: Axar Patel produced a brilliant all-round performance to help India register a comfortable 48-run victory over Australia in the fourth T20I at Carrara, giving the visitors an unassailable 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

India looked down and out, losing wickets at regular intervals, but Axar played a magnificent cameo at the end, scoring a crucial unbeaten 21 off just 11 balls, studded with a six and a four, to guide his team post a formidable total of 167/8.

Axar also struck with his left-arm spin, returning economical figures of 2/20 in his four overs.

Axar, who was named Player of the Match, said he batted at No. 7 to assess the wicket and waited for the right moment to play, adapting to some unexpected bounce.

"I batted at No. 7 and had a chance to look at the wicket. There was some unexpected bounce, so I waited for my position and just hit. When team needs, that is my preferred position. I just want to have an impact on the team," Axar said at the post-match presentation.

On his bowling, he focused on exploiting the batter's strengths, aiming to bowl a good length when the batter looked to go down the ground.

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"I was thinking what was the batter's strength. If the batter was looking to hit me down the ground, I was looking to hit the good length," he added.

Alongside Axar, Shivam Dube played a key role in India's victory, claiming two wickets to put Australia on the backfoot during the run chase.

Washington Sundar then struck three crucial wickets towards the end as India comfortably defended 168, with Australia bowing out for 119 in 18.2 overs after being 91/3 at one stage.

The final T20 will be played in Brisbane on November 8. The opening match of the series was washed out in Canberra.