Sensational knock of Pandya, Dhoni led Indian team to defeat Australia comprehensively

Chennai, September 18: A gritty all-round performance by Hardik Pandya and former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni led India to thrash Australia by 26 runs in the first one-day international at MA Chidambaram stadium in Chennai. Notably, India defeated Australia by 26 runs via Duckworth-Lewis method as visitors were bundled out for 137 for nine in 21 overs.

 

Chasing the revised target of 164 in stipulated 21 overs, Australian team could make only 137 runs for the loss of 9 wickets. Pacer Jasprit Bumrah and Pandya combined to hurt Australia's hopes of chasing a tricky target with three early strikes including skipper Steve Smith for one.

Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav also joined the party after getting star opener David Warner caught behind for 25 as Australia's innings fell apart. However, Glenn Maxwell tried to raise Australia's hopes with his 18-ball 39, including three fours and four sixes, but Yuzvendra Chahal cut short the batsman's blitz. Leg-spinner Chahal ended with three wickets in his five overs. Pandya and Yadav took two each.

Earlier, opting to bat after winning the toss, India made 281 for 7 in the stipulated 50 overs. Earlier Australian fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile had made an impact with three wickets including Virat Kohli. Rohit Sharma, who made 28, and Kedar Jadhav, who scored 40, tried to rebuild with their 53-run partnership before Marcus Stoinis sent the two batsmen back in the pavilion.

Hardik Pandya was the top scorer with a hurricane 83 off 66 balls. Playing the role of sheet anchor, MS Dhoni was out for 79 while Bhuvanesh Kumar remained unbeaten on 32. Dhoni also completed the coveted landmark of 100 international half-centuries across all three formats. The 36-year-old is now the 13th cricketer in the history of international cricket to complete a ton of 50's. India took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.