ICC ODI World Cup: Indian bowlers run riot, restrict Australia to modest 199
Steve Smith (46) and David Warner (41) were the top-scorers for Australia
Steve Smith (46) and David Warner (41) were the top-scorers for Australia
Steve Smith (46) and David Warner (41) were the top-scorers for Australia
Steve Smith (46) and David Warner (41) were the top-scorers for Australia
The Indian bowlers were at their aggressive best as they restricted Australia to a below-par ... in their ICC ODI World Cup opener at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday. The home side's bowling unit quickly made Australian skipper Pat Cummins regret his decision to bat first by sending back in-form Mitchell Marsh for a duck.
However, soon after Jasprit Bumrah (10-0-35-2) sent Marsh back, Steve Smith joined David Warner in the middle and launched an innings-rebuilding mission. The duo thrived briefly before the famous Indian spin battery broke the 69-run stand and dismissed Warner for a 52-ball 41. It was leggie Kuldeep Yadav (10-0-42-2) who got the prized wicket of the Australian opener.
Just when Marnus Labuschagne, the new batter, looked like forming another important partnership with Smith, Ravindra Jadeja (10-2-28-3) gave India the breakthrough to dismiss the latter for 47 from 71 balls. The Indian all-rounder also dismissed Labuschagne for 27 before Kuldeep returned and claimed the dangerous Glenn Maxwell for 15.
Everything went downhill for the Australians from that point as the lower middle order crumbled under pressure. All Indian bowlers except Hardik Pandya were lethal and managed to leave the opposition toiling to find runs.