The World Cup 2023 preparations for India seem to be on a smooth road. After winning the ODI Asia Cup 2023 trophy, an Indian team missing five of its first-choice players defeated an Australian team which was also missing at least three of its first-choice players.
India won by 5 wickets in the 1st ODI at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali, chasing down the target of 277 runs with 8 balls to spare.
Mohammed Shami bagged the Man of the Match award for his 5-wicket haul – only his second in his ODI career and first in four years.
Only one Australian batsman, David Warner, scored a fifty – he too couldn’t score more than 52 runs. Others got starts but couldn’t convert. On what seemed a decent pitch to bat on, Shami’s five-fer restricted Australia to 277.
India started off like a breeze with Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad cracking up half-centuries, looking at ease under lights. Gaikwad scored 71 (77) and Gill scored 74 (63). However, after their 142-run opening stand was broken, India slipped to 185/4 and the chase became tricky.
But not for long, as Suryakumar Yadav and stand-in captain KL Rahul both recorded half-centuries in their partnership of 80 (85) to help India take 1-0 lead in the 3-match series. This fifty for Suryakumar – his 3rd in ODIs and first since February 2022 in ODI – will give him plenty of confidence while KL Rahul has been brilliant since his return in the Asia Cup.
As usual, there were plenty of memes throughout the day, which also included India becoming the number 1 ranked ODI side, taking over the spot from Pakistan.
IND vs AUS: Top 10 memes from India vs Australia 1st ODI
Man of the match Shami said: “(On bowling longer spells in the heat) It depends on the captain and the game situation, but despite the heat you feel like bowling 4-5 overs with the new ball. I enjoyed the wicket of Marsh, that’s a different feeling when you get the outside edge, when you control your swing nicely. It was important to hit the right lengths on this wicket, either at full pace or go slow, but bowling the right lengths were key. (On bowling with the other pacers) We’ve played together for a long time, so we know what needs to be done. Always enjoy when we bowl well in tandem like this.”
