‘Hard work pays off’ – Fans react as Team India clinches top spot in all three formats after defeating Australia by 5 wickets in 1st ODI

After losing the five-match ODI series against South Africa by 2-3, Australia yet again lost the first ODI match against the Men in Blue by 5 wickets on September 22 at Mohali. Notably, following this win, Team India achieved the number-one rank in all three formats of cricket. Earlier, it was India’s stand-in skipper, KL Rahul, who won the toss and invited the visiting side to bat first.

After being sent to bat first, Australia posted 276 runs in the given 50 overs. Notably, India’s star pacer, Mohammed Shami, dismissed Mitchell Marsh for just four runs, which boosted India’s pace attack. Following him, star opener David Warner struck a half-century, scoring 52 runs from 53 balls featuring six boundaries and two sixes to boost their campaign. Star batter Steve Smith also piled up 41 runs and formed a great partnership with David Warner.

Once they both got dismissed, Marnus Labuschagne and star all-rounder Cameron Green racked up 39 and 31 runs, respectively, to boost their middle order. Great wicketkeeper batter Josh Inglis and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis also get 45 and 25 runs, respectively. Later, towards the end, skipper Pat Cummins remained unbeaten, having scored 21 runs from just nine balls to post a decent total against the hosts. Meanwhile, Indian right-arm pacer Mohammed Shami registered a 5-wicket haul that decimated Australia’s batting line-up.

Team India’s youngsters have put on a show against Australia

Later, while chasing, India’s young batters Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shubman Gill once again lit up the show with their performances. Notably, Ruturaj Gaikwad, who will be leading the side in the upcoming Asian Games 2023, scored 71 runs, including 10 boundaries, whereas Gujarat Titans batter Shubman Gill scored 74 runs from 63 balls featuring six boundaries and two sixes with a solid strike rate of 118 and built up the great stand of over 100 runs that gave the home team a good start.

Following him, star middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer, who has marked his comeback after missing the Super Fours of the Asia Cup 2023, was cheaply departed for just 3 runs. Mumbai Indian’s batter, Ishan Kishan, also got dismissed for just 18 runs. Later, towards the end, stand-in skipper KL Rahul remained unbeaten with 58 runs, while Suryakumar Yadav scored 50 runs that guided India to chase down the total with 8 balls to spare.

Meanwhile, the second ODI is all set to take place on September 24 at Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore (Madhya Pradesh).

Check out how fans have reacted after an emphatic win: