Australia’s biggest ODI victory against India
Australian team gave India a tough time in the first ODI of the three-match series in Mumbai on 14th January. The Australian team took the audience by surprise as they beat the hosts by 10 wickets. It is Australia’s biggest ODI victory ever against India by a margin of wickets. India is now looking forward to paying it back right away and move forward in the series by winning the second ODI in Rajkot on Friday.
A tweet from Micheal Vaughan
Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, feels there is some weakness in the Indian team which needs addressing if it intends to win the ICC World Cup 2023 at home. Tweeting before the second ODI, the English cricketer said that he was waiting to see how India would respond after the massive loss. Vaughan said that India performed below par in the last two World Cups and the team lacks power in the engine room, the middle order, they have 3 yrs to make sure they can keep up the tradition of the hosts winning.
Battle for the opening slot
Virat Kohli decided to drop himself down in the batting order in the opening match of the series so that both Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul could be in the playing eleven. There had been a talk ahead of the series as to who will be the openers for India. While Rohit Sharma is confirmed for one of the opening slots, the other is a toss-up between Dhawan and Rahul. India decided to open with Dhawan while Rahul came in at one-down and captain Kohli batted at No.4 position.
All About Partnership
Rahul and Dhawan put on a fine partnership of 121 runs for the second wicket. But, a batting collapse saw the Indian team being bowled out for 255 in 49.1 overs. Australian captain Aaron Finch and David Warner both smashed terrific tons to give the Australians their highest partnership against India as they reached the target in 38.4 overs and they did not lose any wickets.