Aaron Finch and Steven Smith helped the Australian cricket team take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against India, as they helped their side post a mammoth 374 for 6 in the first game at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The total proved to be 66 runs too many for the visitors, despite fighting knocks from Shikhar Dhawan and Hardik Pandya. Josh Hazlewood, playing his first ODI since 2018, ripped through the Indian top-order as they were 80 for 3 after the first ten overs.
Mitchell Starc struggled to get going with the new ball, bowling 11 deliveries in his first over. The over saw 20 runs being scored, as India began their run chase on a positive note. The Indian team reached their 50 in just 25 balls, with the openers Dhawan and Mayank Agarwal making light work of some loose bowling. However, Hazlewood made a strong comeback as he got Agarwal and Virat Kohli with short balls after cramping them up for room to play their natural shots. Shreyas Iyer was his third victim as he edged a bouncer while trying to get out of the way. KL Rahul departed soon after India scored 100, as he fell to a low full toss by Adam Zampa.
Pandya and Dhawan then got together to stitch together a 128-run stand that gave the team hopes of a miracle win. However, the fall of early wickets came back to haunt the side, as, despite their best efforts, the target was a challenging one.
@hardikpandya93 likes playing against Australia ❤
Stat via @stat_doctor. #indiatourofaustralia #AUSvsIND #TeamIndia #Pandya #cricketnews pic.twitter.com/IgqtsHaT8R
— Cricket News (@cricketnews_com) November 27, 2020
Earlier, skipper Finch laid the foundation with his 17th ODI ton. He was supported amply by Steven Smith, who played an uncharacteristic knock and brought up the third-fastest ton by an Aussie in the format. Good cameos from David Warner and Glenn Maxwell strengthened the team’s position, as they smashed 110 runs in the last ten overs.
The Indian team, however, got off to a good start with the ball as the duo of Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah stalled the run flow. The Aussies managed just 51 in the first 10 overs, but the acceleration act began soon after, as Yuzvendra Chahal was introduced into the attack. Both the openers played him out with ease, and the duo got to the 150-run stand in just the 28th over. Despite the fall of Warner’s wicket, Smith offered the Indians no respite as he switched gears after getting to his fifty. He was determined to bat with aggression and despite the fall of two quick wickets, he did not change his approach.
Not the list Yuzi Chahal would've wanted to top! #AUSvsIND #TeamIndia #CricketAustralia #Chahal #cricketnews pic.twitter.com/WjmuQsN3e1
— Cricket News (@cricketnews_com) November 27, 2020
It was Glenn Maxwell, who had a poor IPL, that provided the final impetus in the innings, as he brought out his sweeps and reverse sweeps against the spinners. He was harsh on Navdeep Saini as well, and he eventually departed for a well made 45 that came in 19 balls. The 57-run stand with Smith proved the way for a mammoth target as the Indian bowlers looked completely out of sorts.
Brief scores: Australia 374/6 in 50 overs (Aaron Finch 114, Steve Smith 105, David Warner 69, Glenn Maxwell 45; Mohammad Shami 3-59) beat India 308/8 in 50 overs (Hardik Pandya 90, Shikhar Dhawan 74; Adam Zampa 4-54, Josh Hazlewood 3-55) by 66 runs.