India and Australia locked horns in the first ODI of the three-match series at the Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai. The last time they played each other in an ODI at this ground, was a little more than three years back. In the game, the Aussies won by 10 wickets, chasing 250-odd runs. Meanwhile, in this game, India’s stand-in skipper Hardik Pandya won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Batting first, the Steve Smith-led side had a poor start as Travis Head got played on in the second over. At 5/1, the likes of skipper and Mitchell Marsh put together 72 runs for the second wicket. The latter was opening the batting as David Warner wasn’t available for the game. Meanwhile, Marsh made the most of his chance as he scored 81 off 65 balls including five sixes and 10 fours.
However, after his wicket fell, the procession started with others failing to cross the 30-run mark. With Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj taking three wickets each and Ravindra Jadeja taking two, the visitors were folded for 188 runs.
KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja rescued India in the modest chase
The home team needed only 189 runs to chase in 50 overs. It was expected to be an easy task. However, it wasn’t meant to be as Marcus Stonis took the wicket of Ishan Kishan while Mitchell Starc trapped Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav for lbw. Things got worse as Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya fell at different stages while playing a poor short. At 83/5, things were looking bleak for the Men In Blue.
However, KL Rahul, who was going through a rut in the Test series against Bangladesh and Australia, proved to be a savior. Alongside, Ravindra Jadeja, the right-hander Rahul put together an unbeaten 108 runs. Rahul scored an unbeaten 75 off 91 balls. On the other hand, Jadeja amassed 45 off 69 balls, carrying the Test match form in the ODI game. In the end, India won the game by five wickets and 10.1 overs to spare.
This is how Twitter reacted
This type of effort we want👍🏻
Great attitude 🙌
India….India🇮🇳#INDvsAUS @BCCI— Ashu Chauhan (@Ashpapadragon) March 17, 2023
#INDvsAUS : Today is @klrahul 's day in batting and wicket keeping.
Why don't you follow @msdhoni path and be Captain.
You are kool Rahul.— D.P.Mishra (@Dipmishrad) March 17, 2023
what a match, mind blowing partnership between @klrahul & @imjadeja absolutely fine knock both. Congratulations #Team_India Believe in blue. #INDvsAUS #AUSvIND
— Himanshu keshri🇮🇳 (@himanshu_himmat) March 17, 2023
Trollers of KL before Match:
Trollers after the match:#KLRahul𓃵 #jadeja #INDvsAUS #HardikPandya pic.twitter.com/9GslmKk7vT— Govind Mishra (@govindu1234) March 17, 2023
Puja Path role Bhagwan impact
Well played KL Rahul 👏#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/cxclc4BFTp
— VECTOR⁴⁵🕉️ (@Vector_45R) March 17, 2023
Respected Hon. Kannur Lokesh Rahul sir,
I have no shame at all in apologizing to you in front of everyone for my hatred towards you. But just a small request,
Please play like this in the World Cup this year too 🥲🤌#INDvsAUS
— Jayesh | Statpadding Central📍 (@_SarcasticChan) March 17, 2023
@venkateshprasad ಹೇಗಿತ್ತು ಮಾಚ್ #INDvsAUS #KLRahul𓃵
— Mahesh Rathod (@MaheshR86870860) March 17, 2023
https://twitter.com/akibaliii/status/1636753317354442752?s=20
Indians to win their both maiden ODI & T20I match as Captain :
Virender Sehwag
Ajinkya Rahane
Shikhar Dhawan
Hardik Pandya*#INDvsAUS— Ram Garapati (@srk0804) March 17, 2023
Great match to watch between #INDvsAUS, Congratulations to #TeamIndia for winning the 1st ODI against Australia. #INDvsAUS @klrahul @imjadeja pic.twitter.com/0xcjz3fAwO
— Shafiq Ahmed Saifi (@shafiqsaifi) March 17, 2023
