(Cricket News) Playing their first match in the 2023 Cricket World Cup, the hosts, India, narrowly beat five-time World Champions Australia in a low-scoring thriller at the Chepauk stadium. It was a match of highs and lows for Team India, but they managed to cross the line with the help of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul.
India lost the toss and was put into the field first, but this was a good toss to lose as Jasprit Bumrah struck early by getting the wicket of Mitchell Marsh. Out came Steve Smith to join Devid Warner, and the two modern-day greats stitched together a fifty-run partnership. Australia looked in good condition, aiming for a high total to set, but things didn’t go well for the men in yellow as Kuldeep Yadav got the wicket of David Warner, departing him for 41.
The spin-friendly pitch of Chennai suited the trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja, as the Indian Captain bowled them for 30 overs straight, making the Aussie batsman struggle. The spin trio got the wickets of Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey, and Cameron Green.
Mitchell Starc added a valuable contribution of 28 down the order, but the lack of contribution from the Australian top order saw them add just 199 to be chased in 50 overs, but the Australian bowlers ensured that it would not be an easy task for the Indian batsmen to accomplish.
End of first innings: Australia (199-10); David Warner 41 (52); Steven Smith 46 (71); Ravindra Jadeja 10-28-2-3; Kuldeep Yadav 10-0-42-2.
Mitchell Starc struck at the very first over, sending World Cup debutant Ishan Kishan for a golden duck. Josh Hazlewood came into the attack and got the wickets of Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer in the same over as the score read 5-3, bringing back painful memories for Indian fans.
Virat Kohli and KL Rahul tried to keep the ship afloat while it was sinking. Kohli got a life as he was dropped by Mitchell Marsh on 12. From there, there was no looking back, as the two kept rotating strike and found boundaries. Kohli and Rahul stitched together a 160-run partnership, which turned the match in India’s favor.
Virat Kohli was out on 85, but the damage had already been done as India just needed 32 runs to win. Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul hit frequent boundaries as they looked to finish things quickly. KL Rahul hit the inning runs, winning them the match and earning their first two points of the tournament.
End of second inning: KL Rahul 97 (115); Virat Kohli 85 (116); Josh Hazlewood 9-38-1-3; Mitchell Starc 8-31-0-1.
