In a run-fest at Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore, KL Rahul-led India beat Australia by a comfortable margin of 99 runs by DLS method after posting 399/4 on the board, thanks to a destructive batting display. However, head coach Rahul Dravid may not be happy with how Sean Abbott and Josh Hazlewood took the game deeper than it should have. The ninth-wicket partnership frustrated Indian bowlers after the visitors suffered a batting collapse.
In the massive run chase, Matthew Short started off with a couple of boundaries against the previous clash's hero Mohammed Shami. In the next over, Short became Prasidh Krishna's first victim of the evening. He threw his bat on a short and wide delivery. Ashwin took an easy catch at third man. On the next ball, Smith flashed his bat away from the body but could only manage a thick outside edge. Shubman Gill took an easy catch at first slip as Smith departed for a golden duck.
In Krishna's next over, Warner hit a couple of fours. Marnus Labuschagne took on Krishna as well as he conceded 14 runs in an over. Before Warner and Labuschagne could shift gears, rain played spoilsport. After a delay of over an hour, Australia got a revised target of 317 from 33 overs.
After the rain interruption, Warner took on the bowlers. But Labuschagne could not pick the carrom ball and got bowled. He departed after scoring 27 runs from 31 balls. Warner got to his half-century from 38 balls. In the next over, he batted right-handed and paid the price for it. He attempted a reverse sweep and got trapped in front of the wickets by Ashwin. The opener scored 53 runs from 39 balls including seven fours and a six. In the same over, Ashwin got Josh Inglis out lbw as Australia lost half their side for 101.
The visitors needed a partnership but Carey dragged the delivery to his stumps. Ravindra Jadeja had his first wicket of the evening. Sean Abbott hit a four and a six but got run out by Ishan Kishan trying to sneak a quick single in the 20th over. Adam Zampa got bowled by Jadeja in the next over as Australia found themselves in big trouble.
Thakur and Ruturaj Gaikwad dropping catches led to frustration for Indian bowlers. Josh Hazlewood smoked Jadeja for two sixes in an over. Abbott followed suit and hit Krishna for two sixes and a four in the next over. He did not spare anyone and reached his half-century from just 30 balls with a six off Ashwin. The partnership was broken by Shami who got the better of Hazlewood with a slower ball. He scored 23 runs from 16 balls. In the next over, Jadeja wrapped the proceedings. Abbott scored 54 runs from 36 balls including four fours and five sixes. Australia got bowled out for 217 from 28.2 overs and lost the match by 99 runs.
Earlier, Smith won the toss and opted to field first. Gaikwad hit a couple of boundaries in the first over. Hazlewood in his second over set him up nicely as he got caught behind for a single-digit score. Iyer attacked from the start and did not hesitate to hit the ball over the fielders. After a cautious start, Gill joined him too. Just when Gill shifted gears, rain interrupted the game.
After the break, the onslaught continued and Gill reached his half-century with a six. He took just 37 balls. Iyer reached his fifty with a maximum as well. He took 41 deliveries to complete the half-century. No Australian bowler troubled Gill and Iyer. The duo kept on firing as the wicket suited their style of play. Iyer reached his third ODI century from 85 balls. In the next over, he got a reprieve but could not make the most of it. Struggling with his left forearm, he got dismissed by Abbott. He scored 105 runs from 90 balls including 11 fours and three sixes. Gill and Iyer shared a 200-run partnership for the second wicket.
Gill reached his sixth ODI hundred from 92 balls in the 33rd over. Meanwhile, Rahul got off the mark with a massive six. Gill could not carry on and departed after scoring 104 runs from 97 balls including six fours and four sixes. Kishan got off the mark with a six as well. Kishan and Rahul did not hold back and kept on firing. In the 41st over, Zampa broke the partnership. Kishan contributed with an 18-ball 31 cameo.
After a slow start, Suryakumar Yadav went after Green and hit him for four consecutive sixes in the 44th over. In the 45th over, Rahul reached his half-century from 35 balls. He got bowled by Green in the next over. He scored 52 runs from 38 balls including three fours and as many sixes. Suryakumar reached his half-century from just 24 balls. His unbeaten 37-ball 72 helped India post 399/5. His quickfire knock featured six fours and as many sixes.
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