In a thrilling World Cup opener, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul displayed exceptional resilience, guiding India to a remarkable victory against Australia.
India’s spin-heavy attack put up a stellar performance, limiting the five-time champions to a modest 199 runs, with three balls to spare in the Australian innings.
However, India’s chase took an unexpected turn as three of their top four batters were dismissed for ducks within the first two overs—a rare sight in One Day Internationals.
Kohli, dropped on 12 by Mitchell Marsh off Josh Hazlewood, showcased his mastery, scoring a brilliant 85 runs. Partnering with him, KL Rahul crafted an impeccable innings, remaining unbeaten at 97. Together, they orchestrated a 165-run fourth-wicket partnership, guiding India to victory in 41.2 overs.
Australia’s batting lineup failed to shine, with no player managing to cross the fifty-run mark. Despite decent starts from David Warner (41) and Steve Smith (46), they struggled against India’s spinners, especially Ravindra Jadeja, who claimed three crucial wickets. Mitchell Marsh fell victim to Bumrah in the very first over, setting the tone for a shaky Australian start.
India’s triumph not only underscores their resilience but also sends a strong message to their competitors, establishing them as strong contenders in the tournament.
The hosts, backed by Kohli and Rahul’s stellar performances, have set the stage for an exciting World Cup campaign. Stay tuned for more updates as the tournament unfolds.
