The Indian skipper broke four sixes and as many fours as he single-handedly helped India chase a 91 goal with four balls to spare in a match that was reduced to eight overs per team due to a wet outdoor field.
Dashboard | How it happened
Earlier, Matthew Wade hit an unbeaten 43 from 20 balls to fire Australia at 90 for five.
Wade hit four limits and three towering sixes – all in the final against Harshal Patel (0/32) – while skipper Aaron Finch hit 31 from 15 after Rohit invited Australia to play in a game that was delayed two and a half hours.
Chasing the target, Rohit made his intention clear as he launched into a six-hit series, unleashing three monstrous hits on Josh Hazlewood in the opening to get India’s pursuit off to a flying start.
WHAT. TO END ! 👍 👍 WHAT. A. WIN! 👏 👏@DineshKarthik goes 6 & 4 as #TeamIndia beats Australia in second… https://t.co/xGPgCzdYLD
— BCCI (@BCCI) 1663954707000
The India fly-half then dropped Pat Cummins’ slower delivery (1/23 in 2 overs) into the stands before lifting Adam Zampa (3/16 in 2 overs) on long-off for another maximum.
But the spinner came back to disturb the stumps of KL Rahul (10), who was looking to go for a slog-sweep.
Virat Kohli (11) then landed a limit from Daniel Sams, before hitting one over Zampa’s head for four more.
(Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)
However, the spinner won the battle of wits as his faster delivery beat the Indian and dislodged the stumps.
Zampa scored a double hit by trapping Suryakumar Yadav (0) in the very next ball as India slipped to 55 for 3 in 4.3 overs.
Unfazed by falling wickets, Rohit continued to go strong as he clipped one over the cover and then fired a short fine wide as Sean Abbott conceded 11 runs.
Hardik Pandya scored a four against Cummins but couldn’t stay long as he slammed into Finch in the seventh.
(AP Photo)
Designated finisher Dinesh Karthik then played his part to perfection, knocking out the remaining points with a six and a four from Sams.
Earlier Australia were looking to put on a show for the capacity crowd at the VCA Stadium but Axar Patel (2/13 in 2 overs) broke two wickets in an impressive spell to leave them at 31 for 3.
Jasprit Bumrah (1/23 in 2 overs), who had been out of action since the England tour ended with a back injury, produced a sensational yorker to get rid of the dangerous Finch during his spell.
However, Wade ensured the visitors ended things on a high as he and Steve Smith (8) added 44 points in the last 18 balls.
Harshal had another unforgettable night as he conceded 32 without a wicket in his two overs.
Both teams will now travel to Hyderabad for the decisive third T20I of the series on Sunday.