India secured a crucial five-wicket win over Australia in the first ODI, with KL Rahul playing a vital role in the victory. Despite being under pressure, Rahul scored an impressive 75 runs during his 91-ball innings, which included seven fours and a six. After being 16-3 and then 39-4, Rahul managed to hold his nerves and helped India reach the target of 189. He shared an unbeaten sixth-wicket partnership of 108 runs with Ravindra Jadeja, who scored 45 not out.
Hardik Pandya, who was leading the team in the absence of regular captain Rohit Sharma, won the toss and elected to field first. The Indian bowlers, led by Mohammed Shami, did an excellent job and bundled out the Australian team for just 188 runs in 35.4 overs. Shami took three wickets, while Mohammed Siraj also contributed with three wickets. Although Mitchell Marsh scored 81 runs from 65 balls, none of the other Australian batsmen, including skipper Steve Smith, could make a significant contribution.
The win gave India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, with the team looking to maintain their momentum in the upcoming matches. Rahul’s performance, along with the bowling unit’s effort, played a significant role in the victory and gave the team a much-needed boost ahead of the next game. India will look to build on this result and continue their winning run in the three-match series.
Here’s how Venkatesh Prasad, Ian Bishop and others reacted to India’s win:
Excellent composure under pressure and a brilliant innings by KL Rahul.
Top knock. Great support by Ravindra Jadeja and a good win for India.#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/tCs74rBiLP— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) March 17, 2023
Perfectly paced, and played by K L Rahul.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) March 17, 2023
Mohammad Shami is our Top Performer from the first innings for his brilliant bowling figures of 3/17 in 6 overs.
A look at his bowling summary here 👇👇#INDvAUS #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/kw906SbYdL
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 17, 2023
KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja's unbeaten partnership power India to victory.#INDvAUS #cricket #1stODI #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/lziUnA5UIX
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) March 17, 2023
Superb game awareness and composure from these two under pressure. Well played @klrahul & @imjadeja 👏🏽👏🏽 #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/JbglgYacsb
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) March 17, 2023
𝐑ahul. 𝐑avindra. 𝐑escue. 💙🇮🇳
📸: BCCI | #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/IYHMZWfHvB
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 17, 2023
.@klrahul scored a gritty unbeaten half-century in the chase & was #TeamIndia's top performer from the second innings of the first #iNDvAUS ODI 👌👌
A summary of his batting display 🔽 pic.twitter.com/hSadbSphCp
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 17, 2023
Let your game do the talking 🗣️#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/6UVxxhVMu5
— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) March 17, 2023
A standing ovation for KL Rahul from the dressing room. pic.twitter.com/kihyl12dNA
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 17, 2023
💪 शानदार comeback from 𝗥𝗮𝗵𝘂𝗹 & 𝗝𝗮𝗱𝗱𝘂 – 🇮🇳 take a 1-0 lead in the series! 💙#OneFamily #INDvAUS @BCCI pic.twitter.com/kgQ8BilUGB
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 17, 2023
A 1️⃣0️⃣8️⃣-run partnership between KL & Jaddu helped us come out on top in a low-scoring slugfest! 🔥
🇮🇳 lead the series 1-0 🙌
📸: BCCI#PlayBold #INDvAUS #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/OwLTg2IkMg
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) March 17, 2023
KL Rahul at number 5 in ODI:
7(8), 80(52), 88*(64), 4(8), 112(113), 12(15), 76(66), 5(11), 62*(43), 7(18), 73(70), 14(28), 8(10), 39(29), 64*(103), 7(6), 75*(91). pic.twitter.com/O9CRoSdfbr
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 17, 2023
