MOHALI: In the first one-day international (ODI) between India and Australia, India’s young opening batsmen showcased their talent, securing an impressive five-wicket victory over Australia. Pacer Mohammed Shami played a key role, taking five wickets to restrict the visitors to 276 runs.
Stand-in captain KL Rahul, who won the toss and elected to field, led the way with an unbeaten half-century. He formed a crucial partnership of 80 runs with Suryakumar Yadav, who contributed 50 runs to the team’s total.
India’s opening pair, Ruturaj Gaikwad (71) and Shubman Gill (74), set the tone for the innings with a formidable 142-run partnership. They appeared comfortable against Australia’s diverse bowling attack, led by skipper Pat Cummins, who returned after recovering from a wrist injury. However, Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa claimed both openers, finishing with figures of 2-57.
After losing Gaikwad’s wicket at 142, India encountered a brief wobble, losing Shreyas Iyer (3), Gill, and Ishan Kishan (18) in quick succession, slipping to 185-4. Suryakumar Yadav, who was playing aggressively, was dismissed by Sean Abbott with just 12 runs needed to secure the victory target of 277.
India’s Bowling Against Australia
Earlier, Mohammed Shami provided India with an excellent start by dismissing the dangerous Mitchell Marsh in the first over. Opener David Warner and veteran Steven Smith steadied the Australian innings with a partnership of 94 runs before Warner was dismissed by left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja.
Soon after Warner’s dismissal, Smith also fell, leaving the visitors at 112-3. India’s experienced off-spinner R Ashwin removed a well-set Marnus Labuschagne (39).
A passing shower briefly interrupted play, but the initiative was seized by the partnership between Josh Inglis (45) and Marcus Stoinis (29). However, Mohammed Shami returned to the attack, claiming the wickets of Stoinis, Matthew Short, and Sean Abbott to finish with an impressive 5-51.
Pat Cummins remained unbeaten with a quick 21 runs towards the end, but Australia could only set a below-par target for the hosts.
Both India and Australia view this three-match ODI series as crucial preparation for their upcoming World Cup campaign next month.
