It finally showed up. like receiving a long-awaited
letter from a close friend. Suryakumar Yadav’s ODI runs ahead of the World Cup
may have been India’s biggest plus in their five-wicket victory against
Australia in the opening ODI at Mohali. He scored 50, his highest total in 20
ODI innings, and assisted India in chasing down 277 after they had lost 4 for
43 during a stressful middle overs period.
Suryakumar’s return to form was also a relief,
although Mohammed Shami’s second five-wicket performance in an ODI without
Mohammed Siraj must have given him a headache. A career-high 5 for 51 grabs,
including 3 of his final 9 balls, were made by Shami.
Apart from that, the acting captain KL Rahul continued
to ease back into international cricket with an unbeaten 58, his third
noteworthy performance in four innings since returning from injury. When it
seemed like Adam Zampa was sparking an Australian revival, Rahul and Suryakumar
added 60 just as India fell from 142 for 0 in the 22nd over to 185 for 4 by the
33rd.
In the chase at the top, openers Gill and Gaikwad had
gotten off to an easy start, scoring 43 runs in the opening seven overs.
Gaikwad was given a chance to take a life on 17, but he didn’t restrain himself
and hit a punch through deep point in the same over. Even though Gill had also
skillfully dragged Marcus Stoinis for six over square leg in the fourth over,
seven of the duo’s eight fours in the first powerplay came in the area from
backward point to cover.
In the 14th over, Gill also took advantage of Matthew
Short’s offspin to dismiss him for four and six. That six extended his fantasy
run in ODIs as he reached fifty in 37 balls, and Gaikwad followed suit with his
first ODI half-century.
Zampa, however, put an end to the excitement by
catching Gaikwad for 71 before cleaning up Gill for 74 with a shot that slipped
through. Between innings, Shreyas Iyer was run out for three following a mix-up
with Gill, whose fitness and form India would have been eager to test. Ishan
Kishan and Rahul, who had come after Gill was dismissed, then worked together
to temporarily stabilise the innings before Kishan was caught behind on a ramp
attempt by Pat Cummins for 18. But Rahul and Suryakumar made sure there was no
more sway.