IMPERFECT 10

Mumbai, January 14

Australia openers David Warner and Aaron Finch both hit centuries to complement their bowlers’ inspired display as the touring side handed out a 10-wicket thrashing to India in the opening ODI.

India, ranked second in ODIs in the world, suffered a mid-innings collapse to be bundled out for 255 in the 50th over of their innings after Australia captain Finch won the toss and opted to field in the first of the three-match series.

Warner and Finch then smashed the Indian bowlers to all corners of the ground, picking up boundaries at will to chase down the target with more than 12 overs to spare at the Wankhede Stadium. Left-handed Warner successfully used the Decision Review System twice to overturn the umpire’s decision against him on his way to his 18th ODI century, hitting 17 fours and three sixes in his unbeaten knock of 128. Finch completed his 16th century in the format, his unbeaten 110 studded with 13 fours and two sixes.

Earlier, left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who made his ODI debut in India 10 years ago, picked up three wickets to set up Australia’s victory. Starc struck the first blow for Australia with the new ball when he sent back Rohit Sharma for 10.

India managed to recover from that early loss through a second-wicket stand of 121 between opener Shikhar Dhawan, who top-scored for the hosts with 74, and KL Rahul. Left-arm spinner Ashton Agar broke the stand by dismissing Rahul for 47 before pace spearhead Pat Cummins sent Dhawan back in the next over. India needed a solid innings from captain Virat Kohli, who batted a position lower than his usual No. 3 spot to accommodate Rahul, to get them out of trouble but he did not last long.

Return catch

Kohli hit leg-spinner Adam Zampa for a six before offering a return catch to the bowler on the very next delivery to be out for 16. Starc then returned to remove Shreyas Iyer cheaply as India lost four wickets for 30 runs to be reduced to 164/5. Cummins and fast bowler Kane Richardson picked up two wickets each for Australia. The two sides will meet in Rajkot for the second ODI on Friday. — Reuters

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HIGHLIGHTS

258 Run partnership between David Warner and Aaron Finch for the opening stand, Australia’s highest partnership for any wicket against India. George Bailey and Steve Smith had put on 242 runs for the third wicket against India in Jan 2016

2 ND time India have lost by 10 wickets at home. Their first came to South Africa in Kolkata in 2005. Tuesday’s loss was India’s fifth by 10 wickets

4 Times Virat Kohli has been dismissed in ODIs by Adam Zampa, the most number of times by a spinner, along with Suraj Randiv (SL) and Graeme Swann (Eng)

6 Times West Indies pace bowler Ravi Rampaul has dismissed Kohli in ODIs, the overall most in 50-over cricket

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Pant suffers concussion, Rahul keeps wickets

Rishabh Pant today suffered a concussion after getting hit on the helmet while batting, forcing KL Rahul to take his position behind the stumps. “Rishabh Pant has got a concussion after being hit on his helmet while batting. Pant is under observation at the moment and his progress will be tracked overnight. A specialist has been consulted and an update will be given accordingly,” the BCCI said in a statement. Pant made 28 off 33 balls.

Scoreboard

India

Runs Balls 4s 6s

R Sharma c Warner b Starc 10 15 2 0

S Dhawan c Agar b Cummins 74 91 9 1

KL Rahul c Smith b Agar 47 61 4 0

V Kohli c&b Zampa 16 14 0 1

S Iyer c Carey b Starc 4 9 0 0

R Pant c Turner b Cummins 28 33 2 1

R Jadeja c Carey b Richardson 25 32 2 1

S Thakur b Starc 13 10 2 0

M Shami c Carey b Richardson 10 15 1 0

K Yadav run out 17 15 2 0

J Bumrah not out 0 0 0 0

Extras: (lb-3, w-8) 11

Total: (all out in 49.1 overs) 255

FOW: 1-13, 2-134, 3-140, 4-156, 5-164, 6-213, 7-217, 8-229, 9-255

Bowling O M R W

Mitchell Starc 10 0 56 3

Pat Cummins 10 1 44 2

Kane Richardson 9.1 0 43 2

Adam Zampa 10 0 53 1

Ashton Agar 10 1 56 1

AUSTRALIA

Runs Balls 4s 6s

D Warner not out 128 112 17 3

A Finch not out 110 114 13 2

Extras: (B-4, LB-7, W-9) 20

Total: (0 wicket in 37.4 overs) 258

Bowling O M R W

• Mohammed Shami 7.4 0 58 0
• Jasprit Bumrah 7 0 50 0
• Shardul Thakur 5 0 43 0
• Kuldeep Yadav 10 0 55 0
• Ravindra Jadeja 8 0 41 0

Player of the Match: David Warner