1st Match - Australia v India

Australians sink the World Champions in rain affected game

Mathew Wade scored a quick half century as Australia won the first ODI against India by 65 runs using D/L. He was also awarded Man of the Match.

IND : 151/10 (29.4 Ovs)

AUS : 216/5 (32.0 Ovs)

Aus won by 65 runs (D/L)

India won the toss and elected to field under overcast conditions. The bowlers justified Dhoni's call by taking two early wickets of Warner and Ponting leaving Australia at 19/2 in 8 overs. Australia managed to reach 35/2 in 11 overs when rain intervened. The break extended for almost 3 hours after which the match was truncated to 32 overs per tea,. Australia came out with a plan. India struck back with Clarke's wicket but then lost the plot with some wayward bowling, especially from Ashwin and Jadeja. Wade on debut was spectacular striking a half century on debut just like he did in the T20I, well supported by the Hussey brothers. Wade made 67, D Hussey made 61 and M Hussey made 45.

Australia consistently scored at 9 to 10 runs an over after the rain break, exploiting the long boundaries. They managed to reach a massive score of 216. Vinay Kumar had excellent figures of 21/3 in 7 overs but with Ashwin giving away 48 off 5 and Jadeja giving away 41 off just 2.4 overs, much of the good work was undone. The rain break didn't lead to any runs being added to the Australia target but it was still a stiff chase at 6.81. 

India had to chase at 6.81 and without Sehwag at the top that was always a tough target. The ball was bouncing and seaming a bit more under the lights than it did in the first session. India lost both the openers cheaply and were reduced to 13/2 in the 4th over. India's two young guns, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, looked positive for the most part, playing shots with aggression and brought India back to a healthy position with a 50 run partnership. However, Clink McKay came in the 12th over to dismiss both Kohli and Rohit Sharma within a span of couple of deliveries, leaving India in disarray at 65/4.

Raina didn't last long either, perishing yet again to a short delivery from Christian leaving Dhoni without support on the other end. There was a 37 run partnership between Dhoni and Jadeja, but the big flourish needed to get anywhere close to the Australian score never really came. India stuttered towards yet another batting collapse, getting all out for 151. Kohli top scored with 31 but there were no other stand out performances to talk about. All the Australian bowlers were on the money, including Doherty, the spinner who bowled during the batting powerplays and got the important wicket of Dhoni. The fielding was sensational too, with Ponting taking two excellent catches to contribute to the team's cause.