K.L.Rahul 75*(91) knock helps India chase down 189 target set by Australia in first ODI (Image Credit:- Twitter/BCCI)
K.L.Rahul 75*(91) and Ravindra Jadeja’s (45*(69) & 2/46) all round performance helps India beat Australia by 5 wickets in first ODI at Wankhede. India bowled Australia out for 188 inside 36 overs and chased it down in 39.5 overs with 5 wickets remaining.
After loosing opener Travis Head 5(10) cheaply Mitchell Marsh 81(65) and Steven Smith 22(30) steadied Australian innings with 72 run partnership for the second wicket. Hardik Pandya broke the partnership by dismissing Steven Smith. Mitchell Marsh continued his innings in attacking mode before been dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja.
Indian bowlers picked wickets at regular intervals and didn’t allowed Australians to built any big partnerships. Mohammed Shami (3/17) and Mohammed Siraj (3/29) are the pick of the bowlers for India. Ravindra Jadeja (2/46) , Hardik Pandya (1/29) and Kuldeep Yadhav (1/48) are the other wicket takers for India.
Chasing small total of 189 India lost Ishan Kishan 3(8) , Virat Kohli 4(9) and Suryakumar Yadhav 0(1) inside the first 5 overs for 16 runs. Mitchell Starc who dismissed Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadhav in two consecutive deliveries in 5th over pushed India further back by dismissing S Gill for 20(31).
Indian captain Hardik Pandya 25(31) along with K.L.Rahul scored 44 runs from 55 balls for the fifth wicket before Hardik Pandya dismissed by M Stoinis. India were 83/5 at this stage and Australia in control of the game.
Half of the side back to the pavilion and 106 more runs to win K.L.Rahul 75*(91) and Ravindra Jadeja 45*(69) batted brilliantly and put together unbroken 108 run partnership from 123 balls for the sixth wicket and guide India to reach the target without any further damage.
Mitchell Starc (3/49) and Marcus Stoinis (2/27) are the wicket takers for Australia.
Player of the Match:- Ravindra Jadeja 45*(69) & 2/46.
Ravindra Jadeja named player of the match for his all round performance (Image Credit:- Twitter/BCCI)
Second ODI will be played on March 19th , Sunday at Visakhapatnam.
R R Cricket Junction 