Published: Jan 26, 2016, 03:47 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 26, 2016, 04:27 PM (IST)
India have been taken to a fantastic score of 188-3 in their 20 overs against Australia in the first Twenty20 International (T20I) of the three-match series at Adelaide on back of a handsomely composed, unbeaten 90 by Virat Kohli. India were taken to a fantastic start by Rohit Sharma but after he got out for a 20-ball 31, it was Kohli who led India’s charge. Australia’s bowling was good in patches but there were plenty of lose deliveries for the batsmen to cash in on. One striking aspect in the innings was Australia’s uncharacteristically poor effort in the field. A few catches were dropped and a few unnecessary runs conceded. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: India vs Australia 2015-16, 1st T20I at Adelaide
India were scoring at 10 runs an over in the first four overs. But the fifth over saw momentum swing in Australia’s favour with Shane Watson dismissing both openers; Rohit and Shikhar Dhawan. While Rohit played freely, Dhawan was scratchy and got out for just five runs. ALSO READ: Suresh Raina completes 1,000 T20I runs
Kohli took some time to get himself into the groove but once he was there, the Australians were clueless as to how to stop him. Suresh Raina was the man partnering Kohli at the other end and for most part he was playing too slowly by T20 standards even as Kohli released the burden at the other end. However he started opening up to a certain degree later in the innings. He was dismissed by Faulkner for a 34-ball 41.
MS Dhoni walked out to bat in the final over after Raina’s dismissal and smashed the first ball he faced for a massive six, it looked like his magic touch was back. The next ball was smashed for another boundary through the off side.
Watson, with his guile, was the pick of the bowlers. He bowled with a good mix of deliveries. There were slower balls and he also varied his lines and lengths as necessary. In the process, he conceded just 24 runs in his four overs with two crucial wickets to his name.
Shaun Tait was too ‘wild’ for Australia’s liking. He bowled at a very good pace but his accuracy was pitiful. He gifted the batsmen with too many scoring opportunities which they gleefully capitalised on. Kane Richardson and James Faulkner were not very impressive either.
India will be happy with how many they have got on board but they’ll need a sound bowling effort to defend this against a solid Australian batting lineup. In the ODI series that just concluded, Australia repeatedly chased big scores by India and if India don’t bowl up to the mark this will again be lost for them.
Brief scores:
India 188 for 3 in 20 overs (Virat Kohli 90*, Suresh Raina 41; Shane Watson 2 for 24) vs Australia.
(Rishad D’Souza, a reporter with CricketCountry, gave up hopes of playing Test cricket after a poor gully-cricket career. He now reports on the sport. You can follow @RDcric on Twitter)
