Mohammed Shami’s career-best 5-51 and India’s frontline hitters’ performance helped them win the inaugural one-day international by five wickets over Australia.
Australians were all out for 276 in 50 overs despite 300 being within reach when Shami finished off their tail.
India, who rested several frontline players, won with eight balls to spare after four of its top six batters scored half-centuries.
Shami removed Mitchell Marsh in the first over to give India a strong start after home captain KL Rahul won the toss and elected to field.
Even though most of Australia’s frontline batters started, only David Warner (52) scored a half-century.
Steve Smith, returning from a wrist injury, and the left-hander combined for a 94-run partnership. Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green contributed with helpful runs but could not continue. Despite this, Australia still seemed to be on track for a high score, with Josh Inglis and Marcus Stoinis scoring freely. However, Shami took three lower-order wickets, causing the Australian team to collapse.
India started their chase strong, with Shubman Gill’s excellent batting and a lucky break for Ruturaj Gaikwad when he was dropped by Jos Inglis off Sean Abbott’s bowling. Gaikwad, replacing regular captain Rohit Sharma, who was rested along with other key players for the first two series matches to keep them fresh for the home World Cup starting on October 5th, scored 71 runs.
After both openers were removed and Shreyas Iyer ran himself out, Suryakumar Yadav and Rahul batted carefully to frustrate Australia. Rahul finished with an unbeaten 58 and secured India’s victory with a four and a six off Abbott’s bowling.
The second match will occur in Indore on Sunday, with the three-match series concluding in Rajkot on Wednesday.
