Team India didn’t have a great return to international cricket as they went down against Australia in the first of the three-match series at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Virat Kohli & Co fell 66 runs short in the pursuit of 376 runs to go 1-0 down in the series.
Chasing a mammoth total, India got off to a blistering start reaching the first 50 in just 4.2 overs. But once Australia tasted the first blood, the host made sure they chip in with a couple more including that of skipper Virat Kohli – who is known to be a chase master. Kohli got a respite with Adam Zampa dropping a sitter but he failed to grab the opportunity.
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Reeling at 80 for three, India needed a big partnership but Zampa made up for the dropped catch picking in-form KL Rahul. Shikhar Dhawan and Hardik Pandya took the game deep with a magnificent partnership but Zampa made sure Australia remain ahead in the game.
Batting first, David Warner and Aaron Finch got the hosts off to a superb start as they added 156 runs for the opening wicket. Warner departed for 69 but the Australian skipper carried on and notched up his 17th ODI ton in the process.
We don’t have all-round options – Virat Kohli
Glenn Maxwell was at his best, playing a handy cameo of 45, but it was Steve Smith who stole the show in the series opener. He hardly took time to get going, and once he got his eye in, the former Aussie skipper was absolutely sensational. Initially, he toyed with the field and once he notched up his fifty, he got the big sixes as well, eventually bringing up a superlative century to propel Australia to 375.
All Indian bowlers leaked runs as Virat Kohli looked extremely disappointed except Mohammed Shami, who was the best of the lot with his three-wicket haul. Speaking at the end of the game, Virat Kohli admitted that coming from T20 cricket might have taken a toll on their performances.
“Probably the first long game we’ve played in a while, been playing T20 cricket. Probably that’s something that can have an effect. Body language wasn’t great after around 25 overs. If you don’t take your chances against a top-quality opposition they’ll make you pay,” Virat Kohli said.
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With Hardik Pandya not fit to bowl, India clearly lacked the sixth bowling option. Virat Kohli rued that they don’t have all-round combinations in the squad which make things difficult for them. However, Team India skipper stressed that they are committed to performing and will come hard in the next game.
“Unfortunately, Hardik is not fit enough to bowl, and we don’t have other allround options to pick from either, someone like Stoinis or Maxwell. All the batsmen committed to it which is why you saw us playing with intent. I think we gave ourselves the best chance. As a batting unit we committed nicely to positive cricket and we are going to do that in the future as well,” Virat Kohli added.
