The bowlers were half-done. The target in front of India was not too big, with 189 runs. But Hardik Pandya’s team was in great danger while chasing this run.
Mitchell Starc and Marcus Stoinis scored 3 for 16 and lost half of the innings for 83. The hosts were in danger of losing. Although in the end, they are the ones who laugh at the smile of victory.
India beat Australia by 5 wickets in the first ODI of the series at Wankhede on Friday night. With this victory, Hardik’s army has taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
In the run chase, India lost Ishan Kishan by 5 runs. He is lbw by Stoinis for 3 runs. In the fifth over, Mitchell Starc gave a big blow to India with two consecutive balls to Virat Kohli (4) and Suryakumar Yadav (1).
Shubman Gill was playing. Starc also showed him the way to Sajghar for 20 runs. After that, captain Hardik Pandya (25) became a victim of Stoinis. Australia returned to the fight quite well. The dream of an incredible victory was in their eyes.
But experienced Ravindra Jadeja and Lokesh Rahul together broke that dream. This duo brought out the match in a pair of 108 runs off 123 balls for the sixth wicket. Rahul remained unbeaten on 75 runs with 7 fours and 1 six off 91 balls, Jadeja scored 45 off 69 balls with 5 boundaries.
Earlier, Steven Smith’s team was bowled out for 188 runs by Shami-Siraj.
India won the toss and sent Australia to bat first. Despite losing Travis Head (5) early on, the Aussies were in a good position for a while. Steven Smith was out for 22, but Australia was 129 for 2 in the 20th over. From there, it’s downhill.
An excellent knock from @klrahul here in Mumbai when the going got tough!#TeamIndia 22 runs away from victory.
Live – https://t.co/8mvcwAwwah #INDvAUS @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/Ct4Gq1R1ox
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 17, 2023
Opener Mitchell Marsh looked devastating. But after he stormed back to 81 runs in 65 balls with 10 fours and 5 sixes, the Aussie innings seemed to be dead. The visitors lost the last 8 wickets for 59 runs.
Australia suddenly collapsed from a good position and was all out for 188 runs in 35.4 overs. Apart from Jos English’s 26, none of the middle and lower order could do anything.
Mohammad Shami took 3 wickets with just 17 runs. Another pacer Mohammed Siraj took 3 wickets at the cost of 29 runs. Ravindra Jadeja’s victims for 46 runs.
MMR/MS
