Australia thrashed India by 72 runs in the first ODI of the 7 match ODI series at Pune. After posting a challenging 305 runs target batting first, it was left to the Australian bowlers to halt the solid Indian batting line-up from overcoming the 1st innings score.
India started cautiously with both openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma taking time to settle and get used to the pitch. The Australians seamers made it extremely difficult for the Indian batsmen to score runs. Consistent line with good bowling speed combined with short bowling pushed Dhawan and Rohit into a shell.
As the pair tried to break free, Dhawan felt prey to a very good delivery from Faulkner which moved away from batsmen and nicked Dhawan's bat on its way to wicket-keeper Haddin. In walked Virat Kohli, but the Australian pace attack of Faulkner and Mckay didn't give any chance to the right handers to score runs.
In the 9th over Rohit Sharma eased the pressure as he hit Faulkner for 3 boundaries. Just when things started looking good for India and there was a partnership building, Shane Watson bowled a beautiful delivery to get rid of Rohit Sharma. The ball swayed away after hitting the deck and Rohit Sharma couldn't resist nicking the ball to part-time wicket-keeper Phil Hughes.
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| Faulkner 3 wickets proved crucial in Australia's victory |
Suresh Raina walked in at No.4 to accompany Virat Kohli. The pair looked good as India began scoring runs at a brisk pace. The pair had put on 71 for the 4th wicket till Faulkner striked again to remove Suresh Raina for 39 leaving India at 3 down for 137 runs. Yuvraj Singh walked to the center amidst huge cheers. The crowd went wild as Yuvraj pulled the second ball of his innings for a six. George Bailey made a quick change and brought in the fierce Mitchell Johnson and Johnson in-turn appreciated his captain's call by scalping the price wicket of Yuvraj Singh for 7.
The run rate kept on mounting from 6 an over to 7 and then 9 per over. Australian pace attack kept on greeting Indian batsmen with chin music. No batsmen looked comfortable except for Virat Kohli who completed his 25th ODI fifty. Shane Watson removed the well set Virat Kohli an over before the batting powerplay, leaving India with only two specialist batsmen in Dhoni and Jadeja with over 140 runs to chase.
Jadeja was caught by Bailey as Faulkner picked up his 3rd wicket of the night. India never looked comfortable chasing 300 plus as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Australian bowlers didn't give away anything to Indian batsmen. Every single run was made to earn. Australia's brilliant fielding added to the difficulties for team India.
Even Dhoni didn't look comfortable facing Australian seamers. The captain cool looked out of options as he was unable to free his arms at his will. Mckay uprooted Dhoni's off stump in the 41st over, thus crushing any hopes of India winning the match. Bhuvanesh Kumar and Vinay Kumar held on for final few overs to take India to 232. Finch removed Bhuvanesh Kumar to seal a 72 run victory for Australia.
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| Mahendra Singh Dhoni's off stump uprooted by McKay |
It's never going to be easy for India against Australia. Although the current Australian team is being underrated but still they are on the No.2 spot in the ODI rankings for a reason. The win at Pune is a bright example of what this Australian team is capable off. Indian batsmen have to find a way to deal with the short pitch bowling of Australian seamers. It's just the end of first ODI, there are 6 more to go and there are equal number of opportunities for both the teams to top the world ODI rankings.
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