The Indian cricket team started the 3-match ODI series with a bang as they defeated the Aussies by 5 wickets in the first ODI which was played yesterday at Mohali. The senior cricketers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been rested for the first two ODIs and in the absence of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul led the team.
KL Rahul has made a comeback recently as he was away from cricketing action due to an injury and it won’t be wrong to say that he had a great comeback because he smashed a century in the Asia Cup match against Pakistan and yesterday he played a brilliant knock of 58 runs not out for which he faced 63 deliveries and his innings included 4 fours & 1 six.
After the match when KL Rahul is asked about leading the team in the absence of Rohit Sharma, he says that it has happened many times with him, he is used to it now and he loves it. Talking about the weather of Mohali, Rahul said that the intensity in afternoon was quite good and in the beginning, it gave the feeling of heaven in comparison to Colombo but it was quite hot and humid. The stand-in skipper further added that it becomes really tough and challenging (physically) but they have trained hard for it which was visible on the field.
Talking about the Indian innings, KL Rahul said that it was a little difficult after Shubman Gill got out as he was a set batter but he and Suryakumar Yadav managed to build a partnership. In fact, Rahul goes on to say that he needs to put himself in such situations which challenge him. He further said that they both kept talking about cricketing shots and rotating the strike as they wanted to build a good partnership.
As far as the match is concerned, India won the toss and decided to bowl first. The Aussies put up a score of 276 runs in their 50 overs with the help of useful innings by David Warner (52 runs, 53 balls, 6 fours & 2 sixes), Steve Smith (41 runs, 60 balls, 3 fours & 1 six), Josh Inglis (45 runs, 45 balls, 3 fours & 2 sixes) and Marnus Labuschagne (39 runs, 49 balls 3 fours).
In response, India got off to a great start as openers – Ruturaj Gaikwad (71 runs, 77 balls, 10 fours) and Shubman Gill (74 runs, 63 balls, 6 fours & 2 sixes) produced a partnership of 142 runs for the first wicket. Though Shreyas Iyer once again failed in playing a big innings, KL Rahul (58 runs not out, 3 balls, 4 fours & 1 six) and Suryakumar Yadav (50 runs, 49 balls, 5 fours & 1 four) ensured that their team went home as the winner. India won the match with 8 balls remaining in its innings and 5 wickets in hand.
The Indian pacer Mohammed Shami was adjudged as the Player of the Match for his superb bowling performance as he took 5 wickets and conceded 51 runs in his 10 overs.
The second ODI of the series will be played tomorrow at Holkar Stadium, Indore.