IndvAus : Barinder Sran delivers in his first outing: The 24-year old Punjab speedster, Barinder Sran made his international debut in the first of the five-match ODI series against Australia at WACA, Perth.
It was a very memorable debut, as he went on to pick three good wickets, giving away 56 runs in his spell of 9.2 overs. He was a tad expensive at an economy rate of 6.0 but given the fact that other experienced pacers, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav could hardly make any impact on the Aussie batsmen, this youngster could strike thrice.
Even the spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja could not do much to contain the Australians, as they went on piling up the runs at will and reach the target of 310 runs for the loss of 5 wickets, with four deliveries to spare.
Playing for Punjab in 7 matches (10 innings) in Ranji Trophy 2015-16, Sran had picked up 18 wickets with 6/61 being his best performance in an innings and 6/101, in a match. He had averaged 35.66 with 3.70 economy rate and 57.70 strike rate.
Sran also has had a very successful Vijay Hazare Trophy 2015. Playing in all the seven games (seven innings) upto the quarter-final stage, he has picked up 14 wickets, giving away 384 runs in 63.3 overs. His best bowling performance has been 4/60, which he achieved in the match against Rajasthan on 15th December 2015.
The youngster’s domestic performances have definitely attracted the selectors’ attention and they duly picked him up as one of the pacers in the Indian ODI squad for five-match ODI series in Australia.
The youngster clearly did not disappoint.
Playing in the first practice game in T20 format, young Barinder was really impressive and effective as he went on to pick up 2 wickets in his spell of 4 overs, giving away 24 runs. He was a bit costly at an economy rate of 6.0 and also was a little beaten on the direction, as he ended sending down 6 wide deliveries.
With four more games to go in the series, this youngster would only get better with each outing.
At Perth, India won the toss and elected to bat. After losing Shikhar Dhawan (9) early in the innings, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli got together to put up a 207-run second wicket partnership in 37.5 overs.
In the process, Rohit notched up his 9th ODI century and remained unbeaten on 171* runs with 13 fours and 7 sixes off 163 deliveries in an innings that lasted 205 minutes. Meanwhile the Indian Vice Captain, Virat Kohli, narrowly missed his 24th ODI century. He scored 91 runs off 97 deliveries with 9 fours and a six.
Indian innings got over at 309 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in their quota of 50 overs.
Australia led from the front by their skipper, Steven Smith, alongwith George Bailey, put up a partnership of 242 runs in 37.1 overs for the third wicket. This was the best partnership for any wicket in the match.
Bailey, who was let-off on his first delivery, came up with his 3rd ODI century when he notched up 120-ball 112 runs with 7 fours and 2 sixes while Smith registered his 5th ODI century by scoring 149 runs off just 135 deliveries with 11 fours and 2 sixes.
Steven Smith was awarded the Player of the Match.
Winning the encounter, the hosts have taken 1-0 lead in the series.
