India defeated Australia by 5 wickets in the first ODI to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series in Mumbai on March 17, 2023. Hardik Pandya made his ODI captaincy debut in this match as Rohit Sharma was unavailable due to family commitments.
Pandya won the toss and chose to field first and Australia got a jolt before the start of the game as Alex Carey, their first-choice keeper flew back home due to illness. Josh Inglis replaced him in the team.
Mitchell Marsh starred with the bat as he smacked 81 runs in 65 balls with 10 fours and 5 sixes, but Indian bowlers pulled things back once he got out and only Steve Smith (22) and Josh Inglis (26) made it past the 20-run mark as Australia were bundled out for 188 in 35.4 overs.
For India, Mohammad Shami (3/17) and Mohammed Siraj (3/29) were the notable performers while Ravindra Jadeja picked two wickets as well.
In reply, Mitchell Starc rattled India as Virat Kohli (4) and Suryakumar Yadav (0) were dismissed LBW by him and he had Shubman Gill caught for 20 runs.
Marcus Stoinis picked Ishan Kishan for 3 and then came back to break the 44-run partnership between KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya, by dismissing the stand-in Indian captain for 25 runs.
But then KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja added 108* runs for the 6th wicket and took India home in the 40th over. Rahul remained unbeaten on 75 in 91 balls with 7 fours and 1 six, while Jadeja made 45* with 5 fours.
The cricket fraternity was all praises for the batting effort by KL Rahul and Jadeja and lauded them on Twitter.
Here are the tweets:
