Picture Courtesy : ICC
Australia have taken 1-0 lead in the three match ODI series against India . They won the first ODI at Sydney by 66 runs in high scoring encounter.
Australian skipper Aaron Finch won the toss and elected to bat first. Finch who had a rather indifferent IPL 2020 with RCB bounced back in form in national colours . Along with in-form David Warner the duo laid the foundation for big total with a fine 156 run opening stand . Finch scoring his 17th ODI hundred a fine 114, David Warner too played a attacking 69. But the Aussie blitz towards the end was provided by a stunning 66 ball 105 by classy Steve Smith and a blazing 19 ball 45 by Glenn Maxwell. Australia finished strongly to reach a imposing total of 374 / 6 in their 50 overs as crowds were back at the Sydney for this D/N encounter.
Indian bowlers had a nightmarish outing in the field and went for plenty of runs. The fielding too was sloppy . The bowling figures said it all. Mohammed Shami 3/59 ( 10 overs), Jasprit Bumrah 1/73 ( 10 overs), Yuzvendra Chahal 1/89 (10 overs), Navdeep Saini 1/83 ( 10 overs), Ravindra Jadeja 0/63 (10 overs)
Chasing a huge total India got off to a flier with Mayank Agarwal and Shikhar Dhawan. The duo put on 53 for the first wicket in just 5.2 overs . Mayank in an attempt to increase the run- rate perished to a poor shot for (22). Skipper Virat Kohlishowed the intent but fell to needless shot for run a ball 21. Shreyas Iyer ( 2) was foxed by a bouncer for ( 2) . KL Rahul could not carry his IPL form and fell for 12. The Indian innings would have been in dire straits had Hardik Pandya 90 off 76 balls and Shikhar Dhawan not scored 74 off 86 balls. Ravindra Jadeja ( 25) and lusty hits by Navdeep Sainai helped India to score 308/8. Australia winning by 66 runs .
Indian need to sort or rather look at their shot selection while batting ahead of the second ODI. The bowling and fielding too need to be sharp otherwise Australia could well seal the series in the second ODI. Australia winning by 66 runs .
Unlike Indian bowlers Aussie bowlers were on target and kept India in check. Josh Hazelwood took the first three wickets and had figures of 3/55 ( 10 overs) Mitchell Starc struggled 1/65 ( 9 overs), Pat Cummins 0/52( 8 overs), Marcus Stoinis 0/25( 6.2 overs), Glenn Maxwell 0/55 ( 6.4 overs), Spinner Adam Zampa bowled well on run scoring pitch taking 4/ 54 ( 10 overs)
Steve Smith was rightly named MOM for his superlative 105 off 66 balls.
