Australia put in an all-round performance beat by India

Australia put in an all-round performance; defeat India by 72 runs, to win the 1st ODI at the Maharashtra Cricket stadium here on Sunday.

Chase 305 for win, India lost Shikhar Dhawan (7) early, who was caught behind by Brad Haddin. Unfortunately for the keeper, the bowler Faulkner (3/47) high-fived him in the eye. Haddin went down right away, got back to work after receiving some action, only to walk off later on. Phil Hughes donned the gloves, watching a 40-run partnership bloom between Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

A well 71-run partnership between Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina briefly put India on track. Kohli in particular played some delightful shots, driving and pulling with style. But once James Faulkner broke through this stand, Australia slowly began to establish control. Yuvraj Singh fell for 7, and Kohli (61) fell lbw, playing across to Shane Watson.

113 were needed from 60. But MS Dhoni can’t be summoned to engineer a rescue act all the time. Once he was bowled by Clint McKay, it was only a question of finishing the formalities. The tail did resist, but it was too late.

Earlier, Australian captain George Bailey won the toss and decided to bat first. Openers Phillip Hughes and Aaron Finch gave the hosts a good headache, added 110 runs for the 1st wicket. Hughes had Virat Kohli to thank, after the latter missed him on 32 at point.

The left-hander would go on to make 47, before he fell to Ravindra Jadeja, caught at leg slip by Suresh Raina.Yuvraj then came in, to take a wicket off his first ball, with Watson hitting the ball straight to Jadeja at long on. Aaron Finch then hung around with Bailey for a 33-run partnership, before ending up as Yuvraj second wicket.

Bailey (85) however was keen to keep the foot on the accelerator, and he thrived on the half-trackers being offered by Yuvraj. Adam Voges’ run out did bring about a bit of a wobble, but Maxwell joined his captain to restore stability. After a brief lull, Maxwell brought up his 1st six off Ashwin, before turning his attention to Vinay Kumar.

The right-hander smashed 2 sixes, punishing the right-armor for some pretty ordinary bowling, before beating a careless shot straight into the hands of Rohit Sharma at cover. Brad Haddin (10) came in to strike 2boundaries before, playing back to Ashwin. The leg before appeal was accepted, and Australia scorecard read 231/6.

Bailey went into 4th gear, hitting his tenth four, before being removed by Ashwin, when he took the aerial route. India then had trouble with the Australian tail, as Faulkner (27) made merry. Mitchell Johnson and Clint McKay too cleared the fence, as the visitors registered a challenging total of 304/8.

AUS-304/8(50overs) 

IND-232/10(49.4 overs) 

Player of the match G Bailey