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The ICC Cricket ODI World Cup 2023 witnessed an electrifying clash between India and Australia on October 8 in Chennai, and it was a rollercoaster of emotions right from the start. India’s journey in this prestigious tournament began with a thrilling encounter against their traditional rivals, Australia. The match saw several dramatic moments that had fans on the edge of their seats.
India’s early collapse
After India successfully bowled out Australia for 199, their chase began on a challenging pitch. As the Indian innings started, India’s fans were filled with hope and anticipation. However, their hopes were quickly dashed as India’s top-order batters struggled against the Australian pace duo of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. India were reduced to a shocking 2 for 3 in the initial overs. Captain Rohit Sharma, young sensation Ishan Kishan and the talented Shreyas Iyer were all back in the pavilion without contributing a single run. The atmosphere in the iconic Chepauk Stadium turned somber as Australia dominated with the ball.
The Virat Kohli dilemma: A potential game-changer
Amidst the turmoil, the moment that could have changed the course of the game arrived. Virat Kohli, the linchpin of India’s batting lineup, almost became Australia’s fourth victim. Facing a short delivery from Hazlewood, Kohli top-edged the ball high into the air. As the ball spiralled skyward, Mitchell Marsh, stationed at mid-wicket and wicketkeeper Alex Carey both converged on the catch. Marsh was well-placed to take the crucial wicket, but a split-second hesitation occurred as Carey also moved in for the catch. This moment of uncertainty resulted in Australia missing a golden opportunity to dismiss Kohli for a mere 12 runs.
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Ravichandran Ashwin’s breathless perspective on Kohli’s moment
In the dressing room, the tension was palpable as Ravichandran Ashwin watched the ball soar into the sky. He understood the significance of Kohli’s wicket, and as the catch was almost taken, the Chennai-lad found himself breathless. The Chepauk crowd, too, was caught in a frenzy of excitement.
When Marsh dropped the catch, the stadium erupted in joy, and Ashwin remained rooted to the same spot for the remainder of the game.
“When I saw Virat Kohli’s ball went up in the air, I ran outside the dressing room. I literally ran outside the dressing room, I was like thinking wake me up when it’s all over. It’s a World Cup game against Australia so you don’t expect anything easy. It’s a big game and when you are shot for 199, do you think you expected us to coast home. I ran back into the dressing room and the crowd erupted. I stayed in the same place for the entire game. My legs are paining now actually,” Ashwin said to Star Sports after the match.
India’s recovery and victorious finish
Despite the early setbacks and the heart-stopping moment, India managed to stage a remarkable recovery. Kohli, along with KL Rahul, orchestrated a brilliant partnership. They combined forces to put India back on track, steadily chipping away at the required runs. While Kohli played a crucial knock of 85 off 116 balls, Rahul remained unbeaten with 97 off 115 balls. Their 165-run partnership shifted the momentum firmly in India’s favour. With Hardik Pandya‘s support towards the end, India achieved a comfortable victory with 52 deliveries to spare.
