India vs Australia ODI: Hardik Pandya’s brilliant knock not enough to guide India past the finish line
The Australian cricketing summer got off to its best possible start as there were plenty of runs scored in the first ODI between India and Australia. In the end, Hardik Pandya’s brilliant knock was not enough to chase a massive target of 375 which was set by the Australian outfit, after a couple of commendable knocks from Aaron Finch and Steven Smith, with both of them registering centuries.
Australia wrap the 1st ODI by 66 runs with a comprehensive bowling effort and take a 1-0 series lead
#TeamIndia will look to comeback strong in the 2nd ODI on Sunday
#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/pF0NAnZmGL
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 27, 2020
Aaron Finch won the toss and opted to put runs on the board in the first ODI. “We will bat first. Great to have cricket back in Australia, to play in front of crowds will be nice. The wicket looks good, hopefully, we can put runs on the board and defend.” said Finch after winning the toss.
Finch and Warner get off to a flying start
Aaron Finch and David Warner got off to the best possible start putting up a 100 run stand to start off the match. In the 6th over, Aaron Finch achieved a milestone, becoming the 2nd fastest Australian batsman to reach 5000 runs in ODIs. Aaron Finch found it difficult to time the ball, but found his rhythm and went to score 114 runs. Warner and Finch raced to 51 runs in the powerplay and were looking in good touch.
The duo achieved the 100-mark partnership in the 19th over and went on to notch up an impressive opening wicket stand of 156 runs before Mohammed Shami got the first breakthrough for the Indian team. David Warner departed for a well made 69, after getting caught behind by Lokesh Rahul.
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Steve Smith piles on the runs
Steven Smith who has an incredible record against India, delivered another masterclass on Friday as made 105 runs of just 66 balls with a strike rate of 160. Finch and Smith piled on the misery for Kohli as they were finding the fence at regular intervals. They had a 108 run partnership, after which Aaron Finch was dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah, with Lokesh Rahul making no mistake behind the stumps.
Marcus Stoinis came in early at number 4 to provide a good finish to the innings. However, he went for a golden knock after Chahal bowled a delivery slightly outside off, which Stoinis had nicked and was caught behind again by Rahul. India seemed to have applied the breaks on the Australian batting but Glenn Maxwell and Steven Smith had other plans.
Glenn Maxwell and Smith guide Australia to an impressive finish
Glenn Maxwell and Steven Smith guided Australia to an amazing finish as they played a pivotal run in adding 103 runs to the scoreboard in the last 9 overs. Smith registered a century, scoring 105 runs whereas, Maxwell scored 45 runs in just 19 balls which includes five fours and 3 sixes. Alex Carey scored 17 runs in the end to hand India a daunting target of 375 runs.
Yuzvendra Chahal had an off day as he was taken to the cleaners by the Australian batsman. Chahal ended with figures of 89 runs and a wicket in his 10 overs. Mohammed Shami was the most impressive Indian bowler, giving away 59 runs and taking 3 wickets in his 10 overs.
Shikhar Dhawan and Mayank Agarwal off to an amazing start
It was vital for Shikhar Dhawan and Mayank Agarwal to get off to a good start in a big chase of 375 runs. They did just that, putting 46 runs on the board in just 4 overs. Both players who had been in incredible form in the IPL, seemed to be in good touch. However, Mayank Agarwal fell to Josh Hazelwood in the sixth over after he was caught by Glenn Maxwell at short covers.
Next man in was the India captain, Virat Kohli who was handed a lifeline at the start of his innings after Adam Zampa dropped a sitter. Shikhar Dhawan, on the other end was looking in fine touch and this partnership had to deliver if India were to chase down 375.
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Wickets keep tumbling for India
Virat Kohli came down the track and failed to connect the ball which led to him being caught by Aaron Finch. The Indian skipper departed just for 21 runs. Josh Hazelwood would get his 3rd wicket in the match and 2nd in the same over as he dismissed Shreyas Iyer for just 2 runs, after he was caught by Alex Carey.
Next man in was Lokesh Rahul, who was caught by Steven Smith at short covers on a full toss bowled by Adam Zampa. India were in serious trouble with 4 down at just 101 runs.
Hardik Pandya and Dhawan show some fight but unable to guide India past the finishing line
Hardik Pandya and Shikhar Dhawan put up a 128 run stand to give the India team some hope. Shikhar Dhawan played a valiant knock of 74 runs but was dismissed by Adam Zampa in the thirty-fifth over. Hardik Pandya, who rarely gets a chance to bat for so many overs, played his heart out scoring 90 runs in 76 balls. Pandya became the fastest India to score 1000 runs in ODI cricket. Pandya hit 7 fours and 6 sixes in his 90 run knock but was dismissed by Adam Zampa after he was caught by Mitchell Starc.
In the end, Navdeep Saini played a good knock scoring 29 runs to lessen the margin of defeat. India ended the 50 overs with 308 for the loss of 8 wickets, handing Australia a 66 run victory. Aaron Finch’s men take a 1-0 lead in the 3 match ODI series.
Adam Zampa took 4 wickets in his 10 overs, and had an economy of just under 6. Josh Hazelwood took 3 vital wickets in the start. In conclusion, it was a all round performance by the Australian outfit.
Man of the match award was given to Steven Smith for his amazing knock. Smith said, “Have been searching for something for a couple of months now. About three days ago something just clicked. My rhythm came back, everything came back. Finchy and Davey played very well early on. We could come in and be aggressive. Wasn’t thinking too much out there, just seeing the ball and hitting it.”