Men’s ODI WC: KL Rahul, Virat Kohli carry India to memorable six-wicket win over Australia

New Delhi: India got off to a flying start in the 2023 ODI World Cup with a thumping six-wicket victory against Australia in their opening game at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, October 08. India rode on fabulous knocks from Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, who slammed half-centuries apiece to make short work of the 200-run chase. India got off to the worst possible start in the run-chase but Kohli and Rahul staged a brilliant fightback to set up a comprehensive victory for the hosts.

It was a disastrous start from India as the hosts lost three of their top four batters on ducks inside the first two overs of the run-chase as Aussie pacers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood combined to run riot. But Kohli and Rahul joined hands to rescue India after the top-order collapse with a brilliant partnership of 165 runs for the fourth wicket as the hosts got over the line comfortably in the end.

India’s abysmal start

Spinners dominated the proceedings after Australia opted to bat first in the blockbuster clash in Chennai as the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav made the most of the slow surface at Chepauk to bundle out the Aussies for 199. However, the pacers stole the show when it came to Australia’s defence of the low-key total as Starc and Hazlewood breathed fire with the new ball.

Starc drew the first blood for Australia by dismissing Ishan Kishan on a duck in the very first over of India’s innings before Hazlewood sent Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer packing on ducks in the next over. India were left reeling on 2/3 inside the first two overs before Kohli and Rahul produced a mighty rescue act. It was a sensational opening spell from the Australian pacers, who gave Indian fans a flashback of the 2019 ODI World Cup semi-final against New Zealand where India were 5/3 after a disastrous start