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SPORTS MARCH 24, 2023 | The Indian Eye 40

AUSTRALIA IN INDIA

ODI Series: Men in Blue beat the visitors

in a tight match full of ups and downs

KL Rahul displayed great resilience and determination as he brought up

his 13th ODI half-century in 73 balls in the 35th over of the game

OUR BUREAU
Mumbai
gritty and resilient half-cen-
tury by KL Rahul and Ravin-
A dra Jadeja’s crucial knock of
unbeaten 45 guided India to 5 wick-
ets victory with 61 balls remaining
against Australia in the first ODI of
three-match series here at Wankhede
Stadium on Friday.
Rahul starred for India with his
unbeaten knock of 75 runs off 91
deliveries while Jadeja slammed cru-
cial 45* runs. For Australia Mitchell
Starc bagged three while Marcus
Stoinis scalped two wickets. Defend-
ing a small total of 189, Australia got
off to a terrific start and gave India
an early blow in the second over of
the game. Marcus Stoinis drew first
blood as he dismissed Ishan Kishan
for 3 runs. Star batter Virat Kohli
then came out to bat. Mitchell Starc
delivered a fine over throwing deliv-
eries around 145kph and gave India
back-to-back two big blows.
Starc dismissed Kohli for 4 runs
while right-handed batter Suryaku-
mar Yadav for a Golden Duck. At
the time of the powerplay, India’s
score read 20/3.
On Starc’s hat-trick ball, new Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul celebrate the Indian team’s victory during the 1st ODI match against Australia at Wankhede Stadium
batter KL Rahul drove it pristinely in Mumbai on Friday (ANI)
through covers for a boundary. In-
dian batters struggled to score runs
against Australia’s world-class pace playing boundary shots at regular Rahul displayed great resilience to help India bundle out Australia
attack. intervals, easing some pressure from and determination as he brought up for 188 in the 35.3 overs.
Starc in red-hot form gave Men the team. After 15 over, India’s score his 13th ODI half-century in 73 balls Mitchell Marsh scored the high-
in Blue another blow as he sent read 64/4. in the 35th over of the game. The In- est for Australia with 81 off 65 de-
opener Shubman Gill packing for Easing some pressure from the dian pair hammered Adam Zampa liveries while Josh Inglis scored 26.
20, leaving India reeling 39/4. Gill’s team Pandya and Rahul slammed for 17 runs with the help of one four For India Mohammed Shami and
wicket invited the captain Hardik Australian bowlers for boundaries. and a maximum. Mohammed Siraj bagged three while
Pandya to the crease who opened Stoinis gave struggling India another The duo kept taking singles and Ravindra Jadeja scalped two wickets.
his account with a deep backward blow as he removed Pandya for 25, brought up their 100-run partnership Opted to bowl first, India got off
boundary. Sean Abbott delivered a leaving Men in Blue reeling at 83/5 stand in 120 deliveries. Jadeja then to a fine start as Mohammed Siraj
terrific over as he did not let the In- in 19.2 overs. slammed Starc fro two boundaries provided his team with a big wicket
dia duo of Rahul and Pandya score Star all-rounder Ravindra Jade- and guided his team home with a of Travis Head in the second over of
big and conceded just two runs in the ja then came out to bat. The duo of 5-wicket victory over Australia. the game. Opener Mitchell Marsh
12th over of the game. Jadeja and Rahul slammed Austra- Earlier, Mohammed Shami, and Steve Smith then handled the
The India duo rotated the strike lian bowlers all around the ground Mohammed Siraj scalped three and charge as they slammed Indian bowl-
brilliantly and gathered runs while while piling singles. Ravindra Jadeja bagged two wickets Continued on next page... >>

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