Australia's Matthew Wade wastes no time against India

The wicketkeeper justified his selection in the first Twenty20 match with a man-of-the-match performance, scoring 72 off 43 balls in Australia's 31-run victory.

SYDNEY // India have still to win on their Australia tour after losing the first of two Twenty20 internationals by 31 runs to the home side at the Sydney Olympic stadium yesterday.

Before the biggest crowd for a single day's cricket in Sydney of almost 60,000, Australia made 171 for four after being sent into bat and reduced India to 140 for six.

India were hoping to bounce back in the shorter version after being thrashed 4-0 in their Test series against the Australians.

Matthew Wade, who is keeping wicketkeeper Brad Haddin out of Australia's T20 and one-day teams, justified his selection with a man-of-the-match performance with 72 off 43 balls and slick glovework behind the stumps.

"I got a little taste for it a few months back in South Africa and I'm looking to take my opportunity batting at the top of the order with Dave [Warner]," Wade said.

"It's always good to be scoring runs and I'm just looking to play my role in the team and I'll do that in Melbourne [T20 on Friday] and hopefully make my one-day debut in Melbourne [on Sunday] too."

Wade smashed three sixes and five fours opening the innings with Warner, who made 25 off 14 balls.

Only MS Dhoni showed any resistance for India, the captain hitting three sixes and a four in an unbeaten 48 off 43 balls.