In his 100th ODI, the Australian skipper, Aaron Finch made the correct call at the toss in the first ODI against India as Australia elected to bat first in Hyderabad. The dryness of the surface, Finch felt, would help give their bowlers a slight edge while defending. On the other hand, the Indian skipper Virat Kohli felt the exact opposite, saying the ball would come on nicely and that he would have bowled first anyway. However, the Aussies had a rough start as they lost their skipper in the second over of the game itself for a duck as Jasprit Bumrah proved to be just too good for him.
However, Usman Khawaja and Marcus Stoinis then steadied the ship for the visitors by making an 87-run partnership for the second wicket before the dismissal of Stoinis (37) in the 21st over. After his partner’s dismissal, Khawaja also failed to last long Kuldeep dismissed him in the 24th over itself and hence, the Aussies were reeling at 97/3, but a lot of credit for that dismissal goes to Shankar for his brilliant catch in the deep.
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After that, Peter Handscomb and Glen Maxwell showed some resistance by adding 37 runs for the fourth wicket but, Handscomb decided to take the risk as he stepped out only to throw his wicket away to Kuldeep Yadav. Later in the game, Australia also lost the crucial wicket of Glenn Maxwell as Mohammed Shami cleaned his off stump in the 40th over and left his team reeling at 173/6.
The visitors failed to make a comeback in the game after Maxwell’s dismissal as they only managed to reach a total of 236/7 in their quota of 50 overs. From India, Jasprit Bumrah, Shami and Kuldeep took two wickets each with the other wicket going to Kedar Jadhav.
Earlier in the day, it was surprising that KL Rahul does not find a spot after a good T20I series, Ambati Rayudu seems to be the one being trusted at the 4th position. Yuzvendra Chahal has been rested as Jadeja, Kuldeep find spots. Pant too does not find a place.
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Here is how Twitterati reacted on India’s bowling performance in Hyderabad:
Very different game once Bumrah and Shami had bowled their first spell. Pressure gone with Vijay Shankar and Jadhav bowling. Seems today 10 might be too many for them.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 2, 2019
Australia win the toss and elect to bat first in the 1st ODI#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/ckaIX91MAO
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 2, 2019
@klrahul11 not in the playing side is a bit surprising. Thought he would be given some more ‘game time’ to earn his spura for the World Cup. Or is the team management already convinced after his showing in the T20s?
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 2, 2019
No Kaul, Rahul or Pant….Team India focused on winning the game. Finding out more about the World Cup probables must wait for now. #IndvAus @StarSportsIndia
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 2, 2019
My gut feeling says KL Rahul will open the batting for India in World Cup 2019.
Definitely he won't open from the start of the tournament but he will play after 4 or 5 league games but I can't guess the player who will be dropped for Rahul #INDvAUS #WorldCup2019
— Ashok Jammy (@AshokJammy_) March 1, 2019
Most stumpings by Dhoni off a bowler in Intl Cricket
Harbhajan – 25
Ashwin – 24
Jadeja – 23
Kuldeep – 16*
Chahal – 16
Yuvraj – 13— CricBeat (@Cric_beat) March 2, 2019
Aaron Finch average since start of 2018/19 season:
Test: 27.80
ODI: 11.85
T20I: 7.50#INDvAUS— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) March 2, 2019
No idea how Darcy Short isn’t opening for the Aussies … !!! #INDvAUS #JustSaying
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 2, 2019
Four wickets for Kuldeep today. Hopefully, a Man of The Match performance🤞 #EarlyCall #IndvAus
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 2, 2019
Aaron Finch's last 8 international innings: (Most recent first)
0, 8, 0, 14, 6, 6, 3, 8
Seven single-digit scores#INDvAUS
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) March 2, 2019
I'm boycotting today's #IndvAus ODI to protest the BCCI pestering the ICC to ban Pakistan from the World Cup
— Abhinandennis (@DennisCricket_) March 2, 2019
Interesting to see KL rahul nkt playing today…May be he has sealed his spot un world cup…. And its time for jadeja to prove his worth @taurausvarun
— pranav nigadkar (@pranav_nigadkar) March 2, 2019
Dear experts England has Jason Roy and Jonny bairstow at the top . Both were dangerous and destructive strikers. They boost the scorecard more than any team . Why not India try kl rahul and Rohit Sharma at the top for destructive opening run rate ???#staraikelungal
— Theri Rasigan (@gokulnegus1) March 2, 2019
#staraikelungal
Why @klrahul11 not include in today's 11s he is good form in t20 series give chance to play today
It's poor decision?— seyad mohamed buhari 2.o (@pettabuhari) March 2, 2019
What about batting order..! What's wrong with KL Rahul. Played Two fabulous innings still You dropped him..I think he deserves a chance in ODI's https://t.co/Xk4Zikxpnl of the great timer of the ball..So sweet to watch him batting
— Rahul Singh (@Imrahulsingh03) March 2, 2019
Why kl Rahul is warming in the bench in a gud form India should utilize that form #staraikelungal
— Muniraju. S (@MunirajuS10) March 2, 2019
