Chennai: Team India registered a 28-run victory over Australia under Duckworth-Lewis system in the first ODI, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday. Hardik Pandya put up an all-round show with both bat and ball in the rain-affected match. Pandya’s knock of 83 off 66 balls was crucial. India, who were struggling at 64-4, managed top post a challenging total of 281-7.
1. Indian top order blown away by Aussie pacers
Team India were expected to come out all guns blazing in the first ODI after Virat Kohli won the toss and opted to bat first. However, Team India’s famed batting line-up was in for a shock as Australian pacers Pat Cummins and Nathan Coulter-Nile picked up quick wickets to put the host on the backfoot.
The Indian batsman had no answer to the pace, bounce and movement generated by Australian pacers, and were reduced to 11-3 by the end of five overs. Coulter-Nile inflicted the most damage, clinching 3 wickets during.
Even Cummins scalped a wicket after removing Rohit Sharma, who was earlier dropped by Steve Smith in the slips. The opening bowlers made good use of the conditions in Chennai to keep the Indian batters in check.
2. Hardik Pandya’s onslaught on Australian bowlers
After the top order collapse India were reeling at 87-5. Hardik Pandya came in to join MS Dhoni at the other end. Pandya was dropped by Steve Smith when he was batting on 17. The all-rounder made the second chance count as he unleashed his onslaught on the Australian bowling attack. Adam Zampa was the first one at the receiving end in the 36th over when he was hit for one boundary and three sixes by the right-hander as he conceded 24 runs, which swung the pendulum in Team India’s favor.
Pandya ended up with his highest score in ODI scoring a priceless knock of 83 off just 66 balls.
Thanks to the smashing knock from the Mumbai Indians all-rounder and finishing efforts from Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India posted a total of 281 in full quota of 50 overs. After contributing with the bat, Pandya also picked up crucial wickets of Smith and Head to help India claim victory.
3. A special knock from MSD
Team India were tottering at 87-5, when MS Dhoni, along with Hardik Pandya started the recovery process. Dhoni and Pandya stitched together a partnership of 118 runs from 116 balls.
After Pandya’s departure, Bhuvneshwar Kumar gave able support to the former captain as he scored 32 runs off just 30 balls. The two of them put on a partnership of 72 runs in 53 balls, to help India to 281-7. Dhoni also created a unique record as he scored his 100th half century in his international career.
4. Australian batting crumbled under pressure
After long periods of rain, the Australians were given a revised target of 164 in 21 overs under DLS rule. Indian bowler picked up the crucial wickets at the top of the order as the Australians were reduced to 35-4. Their top batters David Warner, Steve Smith, Hilton Cartwright and Travis Head were dismissed cheaply. Glenn Maxwell gave a lifeline to the Aussies as he played aggressively and launched a counterattack on the Indian bowlers. Maxwell was eventually dismissed for an entertaining 39 runs off 18 balls, which consisted of three boundaries and four sixes.
James Faulkner, making a comeback in the Australian side, was the second top scorer with 36 runs. Apart from these two, no other Australian batsmen managed to remain long in the innings as wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals which caused a batting collapse.
5. Indian bowlers put up good show
After being set a revised target of 164 runs in 21 overs, the onus was on the Indian bowlers to defend the small total, and they came out all guns blazing. Spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal kept the pressure on the Australian batsman as they picked up five wickets between each other.
Pacemen Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah also provided able support to the spinners as they picked up one wicket apiece to help India overhaul Australia.
