In a dramatic start to their home World Cup campaign, India secured a nail-biting six-wicket triumph over Australia on Sunday.
The match witnessed Virat Kohli and KL Rahul displaying nerves of steel as they guided India through a jittery run chase.
India’s spin-heavy bowling attack had earlier impressed by bundling out the five-time champions, Australia, for a modest total of 199 with just three deliveries left in the innings.
However, India’s chase began on a shockingly shaky note, with three of their top four batters dismissed for ducks within the first two overs—an unprecedented event in ODI history.
Despite the early setbacks, Virat Kohli, who was given a lifeline by Mitchell Marsh on 12, showcased his class by crafting a superb innings of 85, steering India towards victory.
His partner in the crucial 165-run fourth-wicket partnership, KL Rahul, played a chanceless knock of 97 not out as India successfully reached the target in 41.2 overs.
The match-winning 165-run stand between Virat Kohli and KL Rahul was India's highest-ever partnership against Australia in a #CWC23 clash 👊#INDvAUS
Details 👉 https://t.co/f891tqnU7O pic.twitter.com/5j8Xpr8qbe
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) October 8, 2023
Australia, on the other hand, would be disappointed with their batting performance, as no batsman managed to reach the fifty-run mark, despite decent starts by David Warner (41) and Steve Smith (46).
The Indian spin trio, consisting of Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, applied the pressure, making boundaries hard to come by.
Kuldeep Yadav played a pivotal role, breaking the 69-run partnership by taking a crucial return catch to dismiss Warner. Jadeja further dented Australia’s middle order, claiming three wickets for just 28 runs.
As Australia struggled to post a competitive total, Mitchell Starc’s late cameo of 28 runs proved instrumental in taking them close to the 200 mark.
