In the Men’s ODI World Cup, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli lead India to a six-wicket victory following a stellar performance by Jadeja, who took three wickets to dismiss Australia for 199 runs.

In Chennai on October 8th, a remarkable partnership of 165 runs off 215 balls between KL Rahul (unbeaten at 97) and Virat Kohli (scoring 85) propelled India to an unforgettable six-wicket victory over Australia, marking a strong start to their 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup campaign at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.

During the afternoon session, Ravindra Jadeja displayed exceptional left-arm spin skills, taking three crucial wickets for just 28 runs. The Indian spinners collectively accounted for six Australian wickets, restricting them to a total of 199 runs in 49.3 overs. Australia, in the initial stages, created anxiety within the Indian camp by dismissing three Indian top-order batsmen for ducks, making it a historic occurrence.

Facing immense pressure, Rahul and Kohli joined forces, using their extensive experience to revive the innings and put India back on track in their chase. Kohli received a lifeline on 12 when Mitchell Marsh failed to hold onto a top-edge from his mistimed pull shot, providing a reprieve. The partnership between Kohli and Rahul was pivotal in securing India’s victory, despite Josh Hazlewood taking three wickets.

Australia needed early breakthroughs with the new ball to exert pressure on India, and Mitchell Starc achieved just that by inducing a rash shot from Ishan Kishan, who edged one to the first slip for a golden duck. This also marked Starc’s 50th World Cup wicket, making him the fastest bowler to achieve this milestone.

Hazlewood further compounded India’s woes by dismissing Rohit Sharma lbw for a six-ball duck. Shreyas Iyer also fell quickly, hitting a short delivery straight to a fielder at cover, departing after just three balls.

The crowd breathed a collective sigh of relief when Kohli finally got off the mark, though he faced challenges from Starc and Hazlewood. Rahul broke India’s boundary drought by driving an overpitched delivery from Hazlewood for four, while Kohli contributed with a straight drive for a boundary.

Kohli and Rahul maintained momentum with quick running between the wickets. Kohli reached his half-century with a pull shot off Pat Cummins, followed by Rahul reaching his fifty. Kohli continued to take boundaries off both pacers and spinners, aided by dew on the field.

After Kohli’s dismissal for 85, Hardik Pandya added to the excitement by hitting a lofted six over long-off, the first maximum of the chase. Rahul then displayed his class by lofting Maxwell for six and followed it up with a four over the non-striker’s head. He elegantly sealed the chase with a well-timed lofted six over cover, concluding the match with India successfully completing a somewhat challenging chase following a shaky start.

In the earlier phase, Australia, choosing to bat first on a dry and slightly slower pitch, reached 110-2 in 27 overs. However, Ravindra Jadeja wreaked havoc by taking three wickets in just two overs, destabilizing the Australian batting lineup.

Kuldeep Yadav contributed with two wickets, while Ravichandran Ashwin secured one, and the spinners combined to take six wickets in their 30 overs, maintaining an economical bowling rate of 3.47. This spin-dominated performance, coupled with contributions from the pacers, led to Australia’s downfall.

For Australia, Steven Smith and David Warner were the top scorers with 46 and 41 runs, respectively. However, the rest of the Australian batting order failed to make notable contributions, with Mitchell Starc offering some resistance towards the end of the innings with 28 runs.

India was off to a strong start in the bowling department as well when Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Mitchell Marsh for a duck early in the innings. Warner and Smith capitalized on opportunities presented by the Indian fast bowlers, particularly Hardik Pandya.

Warner showcased aggression, playing inside-out against Ashwin for a four and sweeping Kuldeep for another boundary. However, Kuldeep eventually broke the partnership by getting Warner caught and bowled.

Smith and Marnus Labuschagne attempted to stabilize Australia’s innings, but the Indian spinners curtailed their boundaries after the 20th over. Jadeja struck to dismiss Smith, followed by Labuschagne falling to Kuldeep.

Jadeja continued to trouble Australia, trapping Alex Carey lbw. Glenn Maxwell briefly ended the boundary drought with a four but fell while attempting to pull a delivery from Kuldeep.

Australia’s innings continued to unravel as Ashwin had Cameron Green caught at backward point. Pat Cummins played some attacking shots but was eventually caught in the deep by Bumrah. Hardik Pandya and Mohammed Siraj each took a wicket towards the end, bringing an end to Australia’s innings in 49.3 overs.

In summary, Australia scored 199 runs, with India chasing down the target of 200 runs, securing a crucial victory in their 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup campaign.