Published: Jan 23, 2016, 06:03 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 23, 2016, 06:06 PM (IST)
Australia and India locked horns for the fifth and final time in the five-match One-Day International (ODI) series at Sydney, a game which was another classic example of a run feasted encounter. The visitors after a series of losses in the entire series somehow defied the odds and made a comeback as they ended the series with a win. Once again, it was a bat dominated encounter and the game went down to the final over. The game witnessed some scintillating performances; Suraj Choudhari throws light on few of them. Live Cricket Scorecard: India vs Australia 2015-16, 5th ODI at Sydney
Ishant Sharma’s early strike: Early wickets are the key in any format and India was certainly striving to draw early blood. Ishant Sharma on this occasion led the bowling attack with the new ball and steamed in to get rid of Aaron Finch in the very first over. He looked terrific for most part of the innings on a pitch that was a tad more helpful to bowlers than most others on this series.
David Warner’s century: David Warner continued his good form and displayed a class act with the bat. He scored his fifth ODI ton and also his first against India after missing out in the previous encounter. Warner played a determined innings, scoring 122 runs from just 113 deliveries which was built around nine boundaries and three sixes. Also read: India vs Australia 2015-16 breaks record for most centuries scored in a bilateral ODI series
Jasprit Bumrah’s terrific debut: A debutant is always under the pump irrespective of the format he is featuring in. Jasprit Bumrah made his international debut in today’s game and showed some excellent disposition along with ability to soak in the pressure. He bowled with unparalleled confidence against the formidable Australian attack and left a mark in a high scoring game. His figures two for 40 in ten overs speaks about his ability to deliver on the big stage.
Mitchell Marsh maiden century: Mitchell Marsh possesses immense talent, he is not just capable of hitting the ball big but has the ability to anchor an innings too. Marsh plundered a quick fire century when his team was in choppy waters and needed to bail them out. His unbeaten knock of 102 runs came in just 84 deliveries at a staggering strike rate of 121.42.
Last two overs: India somehow bowled an excellent last two overs and leaked just seven runs despite having the well set Marsh at the crease. Bumrah and Ishant got their basics right and bowled some beautiful yorkers which didn’t let the Australian batsman get away easily.
India’s flying start: India once again got off to a flying start with their openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma firing with all guns. After a slow start, both the openers ensured the run-rate never dropped and quickly made up for the deliveries lost. They accounted for 123 runs before Dhawan floundered for a well played 78.
Rohit Sharma: Rohit was on the brink of creating history when he was batting on 99 but found himself on the other side of the luck when a faint edge of his willow was safely caught by Matthew Wade behind the stumps. Sharma’s innings was eye pleasing, he played some exquisite strokes and made batting look easy. His innings contained nine boundaries nine boundaries and a maximum. ALSO READ: Rohit Sharma becomes 1st Indian batsman to score over 400 runs in away bilateral ODI series
Manish Pandey: Manish Pandey eventually turned out to be the centre of attraction and was rightly awarded the Man of the Match Trophy for his maiden century in ODI cricket. India was in a desperate need of a victory after losing matches in abundance, Pandey delivered when it mattered the most. He paced his innings well and was astute in his approach. He showed a monk’s temperament when India needed six runs of the last four deliveries and Pandey guided a full length delivery for a priceless boundary towards third man. He also smashed the winning runs and made a name for himself by guiding India to their first victory of the series.
Dhoni’s tortoisque innings: MS Dhoni came out to bat after Rohit Sharma’s dismissal but looked very cautious in his approach. India almost needed run a ball and there was a need for the strike to be rotated. Dhoni at one juncture was batting on six off 20 deliveries and further piling up the pressure. Though he made up for his slow rate in the end, but at one point of time the game looked drifting from Indian’s court.
India’s final over drama: Once again the game went down to the final over but this time, India held on to their nerves and finished things in their favour. They needed 13 runs of the final over, when the first ball by Mitchell Marsh was called a wide although naked eye suggested the other way round. Dhoni went ballistic and smashed a massive six over long-off for a maximum. And in an attempt to wind up things quickly, he once again went for a six but didn’t manage to get under the ball as a result of which his innings was curtailed. Pandey was on strike and his side needed six runs of four deliveries when Pandey cannily hit a boundary and then scored the winning runs.
(Suraj Choudhari is a reporter with Criclife and CricketCountry. He is an avid follower of the game, and plays the sport at club level. He has a radical understanding about the subtle nuances and intricacies of cricket, and tries to express it through paper and pen.)
