Cricket News
WATCH: KL Rahul grabs stunning catch to dismiss Steve Smith in 1st ODI between India and Australia
India locked horns against Australia in the first of the three-match ODIs series on Friday. The first match of the series is being played at the Wankhade Stadium, in Mumbai. The second match of the series will be played at the Dr. Y.S. Rajashekhara Redddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Vishakapatnam, while the third final encounter of the series will be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
If we talk about the first ODI, India’s regular skipper Rohit Sharma missed out due to personal reasons. In the absence of Hitman, Men in Blue stand-in skipper Hardik Pandya won the toss and elected to bowl first. And for the visitors, in the absence of regular skipper Pat Cummins, Steve Smith led the side.
On the third ball of the 13th over, the Indian skipper dismissed the Men in Yellow skipper, all thanks to Indian wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul’s brilliant catch. Smith edged the ball and Rahul grabbed the ball by diving on his right.
Watch it here:
What a catch from KL Rahul, he's been absolutely brilliant so far! pic.twitter.com/2eG7WWVJck
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 17, 2023
Indian bowlers shine in first ODI
Batting first, Australia were bundled out for 188 runs in 35.4 overs. The highest run-scorers for them was all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, who scored 81 runs off 65 balls with 10 fours and five sixes. Kangaroos wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis and Smith also contributed some runs. Inglis scored 26 runs off 27 balls with one four and one six each whereas, on the other hand, Smith scored 22 runs from 30 ball with four fours.
For the hosts, the pick of the bowlers was seamers Mohammad Shami and Mohammad Siraj as they grabbed three wicket each in their spells. Shami conceded 17 runs in his six overs with two maidens and, on the other hand, Siraj conceded 29 runs in 5.4 overs with one maiden over.
Star India all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja also grabbed two wickets in his spell of nine overs and conceded 46 runs. One wicket each was taken by Pandya and left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav. Pandya conceded 29 runs in his five overs whereas Kuldeep conceded 48 runs in his spell of eight overs.