Was a day to savour for cricket fans as India took on Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (India National Cricket Team Vs Australian Men’s Cricket Team Match Scorecard). The build up to the big match was immense with fans from both sides eagerly waiting for the action to unfold. With both teams having some of the best talent in the world, expectations were high and the match didn’t disappoint.
The Pre-Match Hype
India and Australia have a long history of rivalry in cricket. Every time these two teams face each other, the stakes are high. Fans expect a show and the players are under pressure to deliver. This was no different. India was looking to continue their winning streak after a good series against England while Australia was looking to bounce back after a poor tour of South Africa.
India, led by Rohit Sharma, were in good form. Their top order was firing and their bowlers were making life difficult for any opposition. But Australia, led by Pat Cummins, had the home advantage and something to prove. The stage was set for a big battle.
Nervy Start: India National Cricket Team Vs Australian Men’s Cricket Team Match Scorecard
Australia won the toss and elected to bat first. It was the obvious choice given the pitch and their batting line up. But India’s bowlers had other plans.
Australia’s Batting:
David Warner and Usman Khawaja opened for Australia. They started slow, giving respect to the Indian pace attack. But soon the Indian bowlers found their groove. Jasprit Bumrah struck early, removing Warner for 15. This early wicket gave India the initiative.
Steve Smith, the mainstay of Australia’s batting, walked in next. He started well, hitting a few boundaries to ease the pressure. Khawaja at the other end was playing a patient innings, rotating the strike and keeping the scoreboard ticking. The partnership between Smith and Khawaja was crucial for Australia. They added 75 runs for the second wicket after Warner’s early wicket.
But just as things were settling for Australia, Ravindra Jadeja was introduced into the attack. Jadeja, known for his accuracy and ability to turn the ball, struck immediately. He got the big wicket of Khawaja, who was caught at slip for 42. This wicket put Australia back on the back foot.
Smith was unfazed by the wickets around him and continued to play his natural game. He was joined by Marnus Labuschagne who is known for his solid technique and ability to build partnerships. The duo took Australia past 150 with Smith getting to his fifty in the process.
Just when Australia was getting on top, India hit back. Shami was bowling fast and straight and got Labuschagne for 36. This triggered a mini collapse. Jadeja was troubling the batsmen with his turn and bounce and got Smith for 78 at deep mid wicket.
The lower order tried to chip in but India’s bowlers were relentless. Cummins and Starc added some runs at the end but Australia was bowled out for 248 in 48.3 overs. It was a good total but not one that would make the Indian team nervous. India National Cricket Team Vs Australian Men’s Cricket Team Match Scorecard.
India’s Bowling: India National Cricket Team Vs Australian Men’s Cricket Team Match Scorecard
India’s bowlers were excellent throughout the innings. Bumrah led the attack with 3/45. Shami supported well with 2/50. But the star of the show was Jadeja who took 4/38 with his left arm spin. Jadeja’s spell was crucial in restricting Australia to under 250.
The Indian fielding was also top notch with several sharp catches and a brilliant run out that got Alex Carey back to the pavilion. The energy and commitment shown by the Indian players in the field was a reflection of their desire to win this match.
India’s Chase – A Sedate Finish
Chasing 249, India needed a good start. The pitch was offering some help to the bowlers but it was still a good track to bat on. Rohit and Shubman opened for India. They knew a good opening partnership would set the tone for the chase.
India’s Batting:
Rohit Sharma, who is known to score big in pressure situations, started slow. He was aware of the conditions and the Australian bowling attack. Shubman Gill on the other hand was confident from the word go and was playing some beautiful drives and pulls.
The Australian bowlers led by Pat Cummins were tight with their lines and lengths. They knew early wickets were key to defending the total. Cummins in particular was bowling well, not giving the Indian batsmen any room to free their arms.
Despite the tight bowling, Rohit and Shubman were keeping the scoreboard moving. They got to 50 in the 10th over and were set for the rest of the innings. Just when it seemed India was cruising, Cummins got the breakthrough. He bowled Rohit in front of the stumps for 38. The Australian players were jubilant, they knew Rohit’s wicket was a big one.
Virat Kohli, the main man for India’s batting, walked in at number 3. He was welcomed with loud cheers from the crowd, many of whom were Indian fans. Kohli, known for his chasing, started well. He and Gill added 60 more for the 2nd wicket and India were getting closer to the target.
But just like in the Australian innings, a wicket against the run of play put India on the backfoot. Gill, who was looking to make a big score, was caught behind off Josh Hazlewood for 45. It was a soft dismissal and Gill was visibly disappointed.
With two new batsmen in, Australia thought they had a chance to put pressure on India. Ajinkya Rahane walked in with Kohli and the duo had to rebuild the innings. They played cautious, not taking any unnecessary risks. Kohli was anchoring the innings while Rahane was rotating the strike and keeping the scoreboard ticking.
Kohli got to his fifty in the 30th over to the delight of the Indian fans. He was in total control, playing some beautiful shots all around the ground. Rahane was playing his role to perfection, providing the solidity India needed at that stage.
The Kohli-Rahane partnership was taking India closer to the target. They added 85 for the 3rd wicket and India were in a strong position. With 40 to get in 10 overs, it seemed like India would win easily. India National Cricket Team Vs Australian Men’s Cricket Team Match Scorecard.
But cricket is a game of uncertainties and Australia was not ready to give up yet. Starc was brought back into the attack and bowled a beautiful Yorker to dismiss Rahane for 42. The wicket gave Australia a lifeline but with Kohli still there, India’s chances of winning were still high.
Kohli was joined by Hardik Pandya and continued to play positively. He knew he had to stay till the end to get India over the line. With 10 to get off the last 2 overs, Kohli hit a boundary off Cummins to get India closer to the target.
In the next over, Pandya finished it off in style, hitting a six over long-on. India won by 6 wickets with Kohli remaining unbeaten on 82. A well deserved win for India who chased it down with 5 balls to spare.
Australia’s Bowling:
Australia’s bowlers tried hard but the Indian batsmen were too good for them. Pat Cummins was the best of the bowlers, 2/44 in 10 overs. Hazlewood and Starc bowled well but couldn’t stop India from chasing the target.
The Australian fielding was also top notch, with some great stops and catches. But they couldn’t create enough pressure to make India make mistakes.
Highlights: India National Cricket Team Vs Australian Men’s Cricket Team Match Scorecard
This was a classic India vs Australia game. Both teams fought hard and the game was neck and neck. But India’s ability to hold their cool in pressure situations was the difference.
India’s bowlers (Jadeja and Bumrah) were brilliant. They kept Australia under wraps and didn’t let them score big. Indian batting (Kohli and Gill) was calm and composed and chased the target with ease.
Australia will be disappointed with their performance. They started well but their middle order failed to cash in on the good start. Their bowlers tried hard but couldn’t break the partnerships that Kohli and his partners built.
FAQs
Who scored the most runs?
Virat Kohli scored 82* runs. He was the game changer.
Who took the most wickets?
4/38 in 10 overs
Where?
MCG, Melbourne, Australia
