In the chase of 200, India misplaced Ishan Kishan, skipper Rohit Sharma, and Shreyas Iyer for geese, leaving India at 2/3. Then a 165-run stand between Virat and KL Rahul helped India safe a six-wicket win.
After India’s six-wicket victory over Australia of their ICC Cricket World Cup marketing campaign opener, middle-order batsman KL Rahul revealed that his batting accomplice, Virat Kohli, suggested him to begin slowly and play in a Test cricket-like method, contemplating the difficult pitch situations.
KL Rahul and Virat Kohli’s composed partnership performed a vital function in India’s win at Chennai’s Chepauk Stadium. “There were not a lot of conversations with Kohli. I had just taken a shower and was hoping to put my feet up for half an hour after the fielding innings, but I had to come in. Virat said that I should play like Test cricket for a bit. Happy to play this for the team. There was a bit of help for the fast bowlers early on. Towards the end, the dew played a bit of a part for them. The ball also skidded on better. It was still two-paced. It was not a great wicket to bat on, neither was it too difficult. I think it was a good cricket wicket, that is what you get in the South of India, especially in Chennai. (Last shot for six) I hit it too well. I wanted to get a hundred by going four and six. Hopefully, some other time I can get it,” stated KL Rahul within the post-match presentation.
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Coming to the match, Australia misplaced Mitchell Marsh for a duck, however opener David Warner (41 in 52 balls with six fours) and Steve Smith (46 in 71 balls with 5 fours) helped the Aussies get well with their 69-run second-wicket partnership. Marnus Labuschagne (27) tried to take the Aussie innings ahead with Smith, however following Smith’s dismissal, Australia confronted a collapse.
The spin trio of Ravindra Jadeja (3/28), Kuldeep Yadav (2/42), and Ravichandran Ashwin (1/34) wreaked havoc on Australia’s line-up of recognised batters whereas the tempo trio of Jasprit Bumrah (2/35), Mohammed Siraj (1/26) and Hardik Pandya (1/28) eliminated the decrease order, sinking Australia from 110/3 to 199 all out in 49.3 overs.
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Mitchell Starc (28) tried to assist the Aussies play the total quota of fifty overs, however he failed.
In the chase of 200, India misplaced Ishan Kishan, skipper Rohit Sharma, and Shreyas Iyer for geese, leaving India at 2/3. Then a 165-run stand between Virat (85 in 116 balls with six fours) and KL Rahul (97* in 115 balls with eight fours and two sixes) helped India safe a six-wicket win. Josh Hazlewood (3/38) was the most effective bowler for Australia.
