Mumbai: India won the three-match ODI series against visiting Australia in a thrilling match on Friday. K.L. A 5-wicket victory was achieved with the help of Rahul’s timely play.
Indian captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and elected to bowl, restricting the Aussies to 188 runs in 35.4 overs. Opener Head is out for 5 runs. Mitchell Marsh who fought alone scored 81 runs and got out. Captain Steven Smith departed after scoring 22 runs. Labuschagne scored 15 runs, wicket keeper Josh Inglis scored 26 runs, Green scored 12 runs. The rest of the players did not cross single digits.
Among the Indian bowlers who had a tight bowling attack, Shami and Siraj took 3 wickets each, Ravindra Jadeja took 2 wickets, Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav took one wicket each.
Chasing the target, India lost the wicket of Ishan Kishan who had scored 3 runs before reaching 5 runs. Virat Kohli was dismissed for 4 runs. Shubman Gill contributed 20 runs. Suryakumar Yadav departed for zero. For Kohli and Yadav though, the pacey Starc is deadly. Both were lbw and sent to the pavilion. Captain Hardik Pandya was dismissed after scoring 25 runs.
KL Rahul’s timely play played a big role in the team’s victory. Having lost 4 wickets for 39, when he was in trouble, Rahul played a patient game. He faced the Aussie bowling attack effectively and scored a half-century to ensure victory. Ravindra Jadeja who supported him for the 6th wicket made a significant contribution in the victory. He had a partnership of 108 runs. The team scored 191 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in 39.5 overs and won by 5 wickets.
Rahul remained unbeaten on 75 off 91 balls with 7 boundaries and 1 impressive six. Jadeja remained unbeaten on 45 off 69 balls and was part of the victory celebration.
Mitchell Starc took 3 wickets for Aussies. Marcus Stoinis took 2 wickets.