A superb batting performance by David Warner and Aaron Finch leads Australia to a commanding 10 wicket win in the first One day international played at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Tuesday.
Australian captain Aaron Finch won the toss and decided to field first. Rohit Sharma played good shots against Mitchell Starc while Shikhar Dhawan struggled. Mitchell Starc provided the breakthrough for Australia dismissing the dangerous Rohit Sharma for 9. Shikhar Dhawan survived against Starc before putting pressure on Australian bowlers. At the end of 10 overs, India were 45 for 1.
After the power play overs, Dhawan and Rahul showed their class putting pressure on Australian bowlers. Both the batsmen could not play big strokes against Zampa and Ashton Agar. Dhawan reached his fifty off 66 balls. As things looked good for India, Ashton Agar got the wicket of Rahul for 47. Rahul and Dhawan added 121 runs for the 2nd wicket. Australia made a strong comeback to pick wickets of Dhawan, Kohli and Shreyas Iyer inside 30 runs to put India on the backfoot. Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant steadied the innings for the Indian team with positive stroke play. When things looked good for India, Kane Richardson struck to get the wicket of Jadeja for 25. Jadeja and Pant added 49 runs for the 7th wicket.
Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav provided some resistance adding 26 runs for the 9th wicket. Kuldeep scored 17 off 15 balls. Australia bowled out India for 255 in 49.1 overs.
In reply to 256 runs to win, Aaron Finch began off to a positive start putting pressure on the Indian bowling line up. David Warner survived a chance as the umpire gave it out and on review the umpire had to change its decision. At the end of 10 overs, Australia raced to 84 for 0.
After the power play overs, Kuldeep Yadav was bought into the attack and troubled Aaron Finch. Warner looked in top form smashing the Indian bowlers. The explosive left-handed batsman Warner reached his fifty off 40 balls while Australian captain Finch completed his half-century off 52 balls. It was just complete domination by openers who made the batting look easy.
Finch and Warner took on the Indian spinners which led Australia in complete control. Warner reached his century off 88 balls while Finch completed his 100 off 108 balls. Warner hit the winning runs and helped Australia registered a dominating 10 wicket win.
Australia 258 for 0 in 37.4 overs (Warner 128*, Finch 110*,) beat India 255 in 49.1 overs (Shikhar Dhawan 74, KL Rahul 47, Mitchell Starc 3/56, Kane Richardson 2/43) by 10 wickets.
David Warner has been named as the man of the match for his 128*. Australia takes a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series. The 2nd match will be played on 17th January at Rajkot.
