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Just after India secured a commendable victory over Australia in the first ODI of their three-match series in Mohali on September 22, the dedication of veteran cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin was evident. Despite the team's triumph, Ashwin was seen practicing his batting skills at the center wicket. Returning to ODI cricket after a hiatus of 18 months, Ashwin put up a decent performance, finishing with 1 for 47 from his allotted 10 overs.
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Under the leadership of KL Rahul, India successfully chased the 277-run target, finishing with eight balls to spare. This five-wicket triumph placed India in a leading position in the series. Mohammed Shami's exceptional bowling was brilliantly paired with Shubman Gill's composed batting, setting the stage for India's series lead.
Interestingly, Ashwin did not have an opportunity to bat in the match. Nevertheless, his dedication shone as he swiftly shifted to practice, garnering attention from head coach Rahul Dravid and batting coach Vikram Rathour.
Reflecting on the match, Mohammed Shami showcased his prowess with an impressive 5 for 51, reiterating his stature in the team and playing a pivotal role in restricting Australia to 276. The decision to bowl first proved beneficial for the Indians. Gill, on the other hand, exuded class with a brisk 63-ball 74, joining forces with Ruturaj Gaikwad, who's preparing for the Asian Games, to post a significant 142-run opening partnership. Their collaboration laid a strong foundation for the team's eventual success.
While Shubman and Ruturaj set the initial pace, notable contributions came from Suryakumar Yadav (50 off 49 balls) and skipper KL Rahul, who remained unbeaten with a 58 off 63 balls. Surya's innings was particularly crucial, stepping up when India required another 92 runs. Apart from Shreyas Iyer (3) and Ishan Kishan (18), every other batsman managed to chip in.
This victory not only set the tone for the series but also positioned India at the pinnacle, achieving the No.1 rank across all three formats - Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. As the series unfolds, fans will be eager to witness how the Indian squad sustains this momentum.
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