Hardik Pandya’s all-round flamboyance complemented by MS Dhoni’s customary calm enabled India to record a comfortable 26-run win over Australia in the rain-curtailed opening ODI of the five-match series in Chennai.
Courtesy Pandya’s blistering career-best 66-ball 83 and Dhoni’s 79 off 88 balls, India posted a competitive 281 for seven despite losing the top half for less than 100 after opting to bat.
However intermittent showers during the break played spoilsport as Australia were set a revised target of 164 off 21 overs via Duckworth-Lewis method.
Chasing the target, Australia did not have the best of starts and kept losing wickets at regular intervals with Pandya (2/28) helping himself with a couple of wickets.
The young wrist spinners — Kuldeep Yadav (2/33) and Yuzvendra Chahal (3/30) then ran through the middle and lower order as India took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Here are some of the amazing Twitter reactions from cricketers and celebrities in praise of Pandya, Dhoni and others:
@hardikpandya7 you are gangsta 🙌🏽 https://t.co/VEvKtxeSxF
— shibani dandekar (@shibanidandekar) September 17, 2017
Congratulations India on a wonderful victory.KungFu Pandya,Chahal were brilliant and MS Dhoni as always showing the stuff that he is made of
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 17, 2017
Incredible recovery & a smashing win by India! @hardikpandya7 & @msdhoni are true champs! What a great game!! #INDvAUS #bleedingblue
— Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor) September 17, 2017
Big win guys🇮🇳 @BCCI vs @CricketAus top batting @hardikpandya7 @msdhoni & young spinners @yuzi_chahal @imkuldeep18 keep up the good work👏👏
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) September 17, 2017
@hardikpandya7 showing he has a good head on those strong shoulders.
— Sundar Raman (@ramansundar) September 17, 2017
Have said it before n will repeat, arrival of @hardikpandya7 is a game changer for Indian cricket. Hope he's managed well.
— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) September 17, 2017
https://twitter.com/MoeenAli/status/909373059970273280
Wooopp @hardikpandya7, you star! #INDvAUS
— Shirley Setia (@ShirleySetia) September 17, 2017
A power packed performance! Super proud of your play tonight @hardikpandya7 … congratulations! #INDvAUS #Cricket
— Kinita Kadakia Patel (@KSKadakia) September 17, 2017
What an incredible win team India! Kudos @msdhoni @hardikpandya7 #IndvsAus #BleedBlue
— Nikita Dutta (@nikifyinglife) September 17, 2017
What a comeback win. Indian team, Grit that champions are made of. Special innings @hardikpandya7 & Mahi Bhai @msdhoni Congrats. #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/nZdUh3tBCe
— Ishant Sharma (@ImIshant) September 17, 2017
Very impressive win from 🇮🇳🏏
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) September 17, 2017
@hardikpandya7 great knock buddy….
— ATR (@RayuduAmbati) September 17, 2017
Congrats INDIA 🇮🇳 on going 1-0 up with a super victory. Great performances by @msdhoni bhai, @hardikpandya7, @yuzi_chahal n @imkuldeep18 👏👍
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) September 17, 2017
Great way to start the series boys! Congrats @hardikpandya7 Expecting more fireworks during the rest of the series #INDvAUS
— Murali Vijay (@mvj888) September 17, 2017
Well played @hardikpandya7 & Iceman @msdhoni. Series looks like a fantastic contest. India 1-0 up. Congrats #IndvsAus
IMG: IE pic.twitter.com/AuAEEPV380— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) September 17, 2017
Brilliant batting by @msdhoni bhai and @hardikpandya7. Congrats Mahi bhai for 100 fifties. Hoping rain relents so we can go for a win 👍🏻
— SAYYED IQBAL ABDULLAH (SIA) (@iqqiabdullah) September 17, 2017
