In the first ODI clash between India and Australia at Mohali, it was a day filled with remarkable performances. A century partnership by the openers, Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad, along with a powerful half-century from Suryakumar Yadav and a stellar five-wicket haul by Mohammed Shami highlighted India’s triumphant five-wicket victory, giving them a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
In pursuit of a target of 277, India’s openers, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shubman Gill, set the stage on fire. Their partnership flourished, and they reached their fifty-run milestone in just 52 balls. By the end of the initial powerplay, India was cruising at 66/0 after 10 overs. Gill, who had been in superb form in ODIs, notched up his ninth ODI fifty in just 37 balls, featuring five fours and two sixes. India reached the 100-run mark in 15.2 overs, with Gaikwad also securing his maiden ODI half-century, taking 60 balls and including seven boundaries. Spinner Adam Zampa broke the formidable partnership, dismissing Gaikwad for a well-earned 71 runs off 77 balls, comprising 10 fours. Soon after, Shreyas Iyer fell victim to a run-out. Gill was dismissed by Zampa for a well-played 74 off 63 balls, featuring five fours and two sixes. India found themselves at 151/3 in 25.3 overs.
KL Rahul, the skipper, took charge alongside an in-form Ishan Kishan, but Kishan’s stint was cut short when he was caught behind by Inglis for 18 off 26 balls, off a delivery by Pat Cummins. India was then at 185/4 after 32.3 overs. KL Rahul was joined by Suryakumar Yadav, the explosive T20I batsman eager to regain his form in ODIs. Together, they steered India past the 200-run mark in 35.5 overs. India eventually reached the 250-run mark by the 45th over, with Suryakumar reaching his third ODI fifty in 47 balls, featuring five fours and a six.
However, Sean Abbott ended Suryakumar’s impressive innings, taking his wicket for a composed 50 off 49 balls, including five fours and a six. India stood at 265/5 in 46.4 overs. KL Rahul, unbeaten at 58 off 63 balls, finished the job in style as India secured a five-wicket victory with eight balls to spare. Zampa, with figures of 2/57, was the standout bowler for Australia, while Abbott and Cummins managed to take one wicket each. Earlier in the day, it was Mohammed Shami who shone for India with a five-wicket haul, helping to restrict Australia to 276 runs in their innings. For Australia, David Warner was the only batsman to reach a fifty, while Josh Inglis played a significant innings, contributing 45 runs. Shami’s outstanding spell saw him claim five wickets for 51 runs. He received support from Jasprit Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja, each taking one wicket. Australia had a shaky start, with Mitchell Marsh departing early, caught by Shubman Gill in the slip off Mohammed Shami’s bowling. Making his comeback after an injury, Steve Smith and David Warner built a steady partnership of 50 runs in 12 overs. Warner reached his fifty in the 16th over, scoring 52 off 53 balls before falling victim to Jadeja’s spin. Mohammed Shami dismissed Smith for 41 off 60 balls, and Ashwin bowled Marnus Labuschagne in the 33rd over. Shami continued his onslaught, claiming Marcus Stoinis for 29 off 21 balls, while Bumrah got rid of Josh Inglis, who scored 45 off 45 balls. In the penultimate over, Shami dismissed Matthew Short, thanks to a catch by Suryakumar Yadav over mid-wicket, and in the very next ball, he clean bowled Sean Abbott to secure his five-wicket haul. India bundled out Australia for 276 runs on the last ball of the innings. This victory gave India a crucial 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against Australia.
