Aus vs Ind- 1st ODI Review: Sharma’s ton goes in vain as visitors receive early jolt

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Rohit Sharma’s 22nd ODI century was not enough to steer India to a victory in Sydney as the hosts romped away with a convincing victory.

Flashing their new retro kits, the Aussies opted to bat first at the SCG. Bhuvneshwar Kumar struck first with the new ball to scalp his 100th wicket in the 50 over format.

However, a composed batting display by the Australian middle order comprising of Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscomb and some pyrotechnics towards the end by Marcus Stoinis powered Australia to a total of 288-5.

Image Courtesy: The Indian Express

The Indian bowling attack, in absence of strike bowler Jasprit Bumrah, faded as the overs progressed. Despite a good showing by the spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, the Aussies punished the inaccuracy by the pacers in the death overs.

A decent start was required in order to scale the target, however, the new look Australian white ball attack had other plans in mind. Debutant Jason Behrendorff and Jhye Richardson rocked the Indian top order to their worst start in an ODI inning.

Losing the first 3 wickets for just 4 runs, Rohit Sharma joined forces with MS Dhoni to steer the collapsing ship ahead. A promising partnership which saw both batsmen bring up their half-centuries instilled hope in the Indian spectators at the SCG.

Despite MS Dhoni falling soon after his fifty, Sharma went on to bring up his hundred in a lone effort. The Indian tail order stuck around to play the 50 overs to ultimately hand the hosts a victory by 34  runs to go 1-0 up in the three-match series.

Brief Scores:

Australia 288-5 (50 overs) (P.Handscomb 73, U.Khawaja 59; K.Yadav 2-54)

India 254-9 (50 overs) (R.Sharma 133, MS Dhoni 51; J.Richardson 4-26)

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