Chennai: India remained victorious against Australia in their opening match of ICC men’s World Cup 2023 by six wickets here at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai on Sunday (Today).
India achieved 200-run target set by Australia 52 balls before on the second ball of the 42nd over.
At the outset of the match, India lost three vital wickets while all the players were sent to the pavilion on duck by the disastrous bowling of Josh Hazlewood.
The openers included India’s skipper Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer.
India overcome an early wobble to take their opening #CWC23 by a comfortable margin 💪#INDvAUS 📝: https://t.co/Qh7kBjviYJ pic.twitter.com/pbTH3UMLkf
— ICC (@ICC) October 8, 2023
Later fourth wicket cemented a 167-run partnership between Virat Kohli and Rahul saving India from catastrophe.
Virat Kohli scored a tremendous innings of 85 runs with a strike rate of 77 which included six fours.
Rahul remained unbeaten and made a marvelous 97 runs with eight fours and 4 sixes keeping a strike rate of 85.
Hardik Pandiya who came as the last batter from India scored 11 runs not out.
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
— ICC (@ICC) October 8, 2023
Details 👉 https://t.co/Nqd1ZIATAp pic.twitter.com/hxxRQ8yyLk
Rahul was declared player of the match over its outstanding 97 runs.
Australia’s Josh Hazlewood, one who created disastrous cracks in the Indian batting line at the start, took three key wickets of India’s skipper Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer.
Moreover, Mitchell Starc got an important wicket of Virat Kohli at the end.
Rohit Sharma 🦆
— CricWick (@CricWick) October 8, 2023
Ishan Kishan 🦆
Shreyas Iyer 🦆
Australia trigger India's top-order collapse 🤯#INDvsAUS #INDvAUS #CWC23 #ODIWorldCup2023 pic.twitter.com/JlQLghSkK9
Australia had a poor start in the match as it scored 199 runs losing all wickets with three balls to spare against India.
A sublime 97* on a tough Chepauk wicket helps KL Rahul win the @aramco #POTM 🎇#CWC23 | #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/Y4IS5iuXAW
— ICC (@ICC) October 8, 2023
Australia won the toss and elected to bat first and its decision proved not fruitful and they could not play freely.
In a century season started by New Zealand and South Africa, no player of Kangaroos could make even half-century.
Steven Smith remained the top scorer from Australia with 48 runs followed by David Warner 41 runs.
FIFTY for King Kohli! 👑
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 8, 2023
A quality half-century in the chase as the 💯 comes up for #TeamIndia!
Follow the Match ▶️ https://t.co/ToKaGif9ri#CWC23 | #INDvAUS | #TeamIndia | #MeninBlue pic.twitter.com/jaIta4J5JR
Other batters of Australia were prominent with Mitchell Starc 28, Marnus Labuschagne 27 while Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins (c) made 15 runs each.
From host India Ravindra Jadeja was the top bowler with three wickets, and Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah got two wickets each.
Moreover, Mohammed Siraj, Hardik Pandya, and Ravichandran Ashwin took one wicket each.