Watch: Suryakumar Yadav ramped Cameron Green for six en route to his first ODI fifty of the year in the first ODI against Australia in Mohali today (September 22).
Subscribe to the Wisden Cricket YouTube channel for post-match analysis, player interviews, and much more.
Chasing 277 to win in the first ODI of the three-match series against Australia, India started brilliantly courtesy of Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Gaikwad scored his first ODI half-century, while Gill continued his rich vein of form.
India’s first wicket fell at the score of 142 when Gaikwad got out sweeping Adam Zampa in the 22nd over of the innings. India suffered a mini-collapse as they lost four wickets for 43 runs in the next 10.5 overs.
Suryakumar Yadav, who has been having a tough time in ODIs this year, came out to bat at No.6 in the 33rd over with India needing 92 runs from 105 balls.
Earlier this year, Yadav had made three consecutive golden ducks against Australia. This time, he started sedately and showed restraint, not employing his typical extravagant T20 shots until he was set. Seven of his first 10 balls were dot balls.
[breakout id=”0″][/breakout]
He hit three spectacular straight drives, reaching 40 off 42 balls without taking much risk. Cameron Green came on to bowl the 46th over and that is when Yadav brought out his trademark scoop shot for the first time in the match.
Green bowled a length ball on off stump which Yadav shuffled inwards and ramped over the wicketkeeper’s head for six. He reached his fifty off 47 balls, his first in ODIs this year and was dismissed soon after for 50 off 49 balls.
KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 58 off 63 as India finished the chase with eight balls and five wickets to spare.
Earlier in the day, the entire Australian batting order had chipped in to take their total to 276, with David Warner being the only one to cross 50. Mohammed Shami, meanwhile, registered his best figures in ODIs, taking 5-51.
