KL Rahul was the star with the bat, while the Indian pacers pitched in with a clinical showing as the Men in Blue bounced back from their ten-wicket loss at Mumbai to win the game at Rajkot. Jasprit Bumrah’s 1 for 32 in 9.1 overs played a key role in the side’s win as Australia were bowled out for 304 chasing 340.
Bumrah was the key to India’s stellar start with the ball, as he tested the Australian openers in a passage of play that had more hits-and misses. He persisted with a good line outside the off stump and bowled at a good length to trouble Aussie skipper Aaron Finch upfront. Besides offering no width, he stalled the run flow as well, which went a long way in putting pressure on Finch and Warner – the stars of the win in the last game.
Though Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne – playing his first ODI innings – steadied the ship in the middle overs, Kuldeep Yadav’s twin blow increased the pressure in the middle overs for the Aussies. India had managed to score 91 in their last 10 overs courtesy a masterful knock from Rahul, but the Australian’s lacked a power-hitter at the death, which meant they were unable to recover after Smith’s departure.
Earlier in the day, Rahul capitalized on his good form as he made 80 in just 52 balls. He showed his versatility batting at number 5. After another good start, the Indian batters collapsed in the middle, but Rahul’s aggressive knock took the team close to the 350-run mark. He went after their pacers Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, attacking their short balls.
Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan had given Team India a solid start with a partnership of 81 runs despite the tough lines that Cummins bowled. Starc, however, had an off day as he strayed in line and the Indians took advantage. Though Rohit was LBW, Virat Kohli joined hands with Dhawan and put on a century stand to take India to a position of strength.
The left-hander was eventually dismissed for 96, while Kohli managed 78 at almost run a ball. Though they were both dismissed in quick succession, Rahul, then, took the onus to take his team to a steep total.
Brief scores: India 340/6 in 50 overs (Rohit Sharma 42, Shikhar Dhawan 96, Virat Kohli 78, KL Rahul 80; Pat Cummins 0-53, Adam Zampa 3-50) beat Australia 304 in 49.1 overs (Steve Smith 98, Marnus Labuschagne 46; Mohammed Shami 3-77) by 36 runs.
