Rohit Sharma was an elated captain after India opened their 2023 World Cup campaign with a convincing six-wicket victory over Australia at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Sunday (October 8).
Opting to bat first, Australia posted a below-par total of 199 on the board before getting bowled out in 49.3 overs. It was a disappointing performance as no one managed to hit a half-century. Steve Smith top scored with 46.
For India, Ravindra Jadeja (3-28), Jasprit Bumrah (2-35) and Kuldeep Yadav (2-42) were the wrecker-in-chief with the ball on a tricky pitch.
In reply, the Men in Blue were reeling at 2/3 at one stage but the duo of KL Rahul (97* off 115) and Virat Kohli (85 off 116) slammed composed half-centuries to take the team over the line with 8.4 overs to spare.
“Pretty exciting. Good feeling to come out on top. It was a good game to start the tournament for us. I thought it was magnificent, especially the fielding and we saw the effort from everyone today, conditions like this it would be tough. Our bowlers used the conditions perfectly and we knew there would be assistance for everyone, even the seamers got some reverse, the spinners bowled in the nice areas and all in all it was a great effort,” Rohit said while speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony.
The Indian captain admitted that he was nervous after the team’s top-order was blown away by the Aussie pacers.
The trio of Ishan Kishan, Rohit and Shreyas Iyer bagged a duck during the chase. While Mitchell Starc got rid of Kishan in the very first over, Josh Hazlewood struck in the following over by dismissing Rohit and Iyer.
“I was (nervous), you don't want to start your innings like that, credit to the Aussies bowlers as they bowled in good areas but some loose shots as well, when you have that kind of target you want to score as much as possible in the powerplay, but credit to Virat and KL on how they went about the chase,” Rohit added.
India will next face Afghanistan in Delhi on Wednesday (October 11). “That is going to be the challenge for us as a team, moving to different conditions and adapting, whoever suits the conditions will have to come and do the job,” Rohit said.
He also praised the Chennai crowd for turning up in huge numbers.
“Chennai never disappoints, they love their cricket and for them to sit in that heat and come out and cheer for the team says a lot,” Rohit concluded.
