KL Rahul made Hardik Pandya’s ODI captaincy debut memorable as he rescued India after a batting collapse along with Ravindra Jadeja and helped the hosts win the first ODI by five wickets in a low-scoring run chase at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. After Indian pacers showcased their class and restricted Australia to a below par total despite Mitchell Marsh’s sensational knock, Rahul answered his critics with an unbeaten 75.
Starc’s breathtaking spell
India's run chase got off to a worst possible start. Mitchell Starc was at his best with the new ball. Smith handed the new ball to Marcus Stoinis and it paid dividends in the first over itself. Ishan Kishan got out lbw after scoring just three runs. In Starc's second over, Gill got a reprieve as Josh Inglis could not convert a half chance.
The fiery display from Starc continued and he pinned Virat Kohli in front of the wicket. Kohli got out after scoring just four runs. With Kohli's wicket, Starc also surpassed Mitchell Johnson and became fourth-highest wicket-taker for Australia in international arena. Suryakumar Yadav got out for a golden duck as he was clueless against Starc's 145.2 kmph delivery. India were 16/3 after five overs.
Gill hit a few boundaries but Starc in his last over of first spell. Gill went for a drive but could not keep it down. At backward point, Marnus Labuschagne pulled off a brilliant catch diving to his left. The opener scored 20 runs off 31 deliveries. Rahul and Pandya tried to rebuild the innings. Pandya was striking the ball well and not taking unnecessary risks but Stoinis lured him into an aerial shot. Pandya pulled but the lack of pace got the better of him and he got caught at backward square leg. Pandya scored 25 off 31 deliveries.
Rahul’s patience pays off
Rahul batted with patience and found the perfect partner in Jadeja who played according to the situation and avoided flashy shots. Rahul got to his 13th ODI half-century from 73 deliveries. After completing his half-century, Rahul accelerated and hit Adam Zampa for a four and a six. Zampa leaked 17 runs from his sixth over and was taken off the attack.
In the end, it became a one-sided affair as India won the game by five wickets with 61 balls to spare. Jadeja finished off the run chase in style with a boundary off Starc. Rahul remained unbeaten for 75 off 91 deliveries including seven fours and one six. On the other end, Jadeja scored 45 runs off 69 deliveries including five fours. They shared an unbeaten 108-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
Marsh’s fiery knock
Earlier, Pandya won the toss and opted to field first. Mohammed Siraj got the wicket in his first over as Travis Head dragged the ball on to his stumps. Marsh batted line a man possessed. He hit Siraj for three boundaries in an over. Marsh hit the first six off the innings in the 10th over. Marsh continued to attack and was building a partnership with Smith. In the 13th over, Pandya lured him into a shot away from body. Smith took the bait and edged one to the wicketkeeper Rahul who took a brilliant catch diving to his right. He scored 22 runs from 30 deliveries.
The wicket of Smith did not have much impact on Marsh as he continued to hit big. In the 17th over, he got to his 14th ODI half-century with a boundary off Kuldeep Yadav. Marsh did not spare Jadeja either and smashed him out of the park. Kuldeep took a beating from Marsh as well. But Jadeja's resillience paid off and he shortened the length, just away from Marsh's arc. The ball ballooned to Siraj at short third man who took a comfortable catch. Marsh scored 81 runs from 65 deliveries including 10 fours and five sixes.
Aussies collapse
After taking a wicket, Jadeja sent Marnus Labuschagne back to the dressing room with a blinder. Labuschagne got dismissed by left-arm chinaman bowler. He scored 15 off 22 deliveries. Gill made a mistake when he dropped Cameron Green off Kuldeep's next over. Green was batting on 7 then. Wicketkeeper-batter Inglis went after Mohammed Shami and hit him for a six over backward square leg. After a failed review, Shami got the wicket as Inglis slashed and dragged the ball on to his stumps. He scored 26 runs from 27 deliveries including one four and one six. Australia lost half their side for 169 in the 28th over.
Shami was impressive in his second spell as he cleaned up Green with the perfect delivery that uprooted the off stump. The Australia all-rounder scored 12 off 19 deliveries. Stoinis was given an early reprieve by Gill who dropped the catch at first slip. Gill made up for the mistake as he pulled off a sharp catch. Stoinis got out after scoring just five runs. In the next over, Jadeja got rid of Maxwell. The hard-hitter's return was an unimpressive fun as he hit the ball straight to Pandya. He managed to score just eight runs during his short stay at the crease.
Siraj came back into the attack and got Abbott out for a seven-ball duck. Abbott edged one to first slip fielder Gill. After the wicket-maiden, Siraj ended Australia's innings with Zampa's wicket. The leg-spinner got out for a six-ball duck. Australia got all out for 188. They suffered a massive collapse and lost eight wickets for 59 runs.
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