India failed to defend their total of 309 runs against Australia in the first ODI at WACA in Perth, as the home side reached the target with five balls to spare. Rohit Sharma's 163-ball 171 went in vain as Australia's Steve Smith and George Bailey scored a century each to help the Aussies take a 1-0 lead in the five-match ODI series.
India did not hit the ground running in the first ODI after winning the toss, as they lost Shikhar Dhawan for nine runs in the seventh over of the game. However, Kohli, who walked in to bat at number three, played some delightful strokes along with Rohit to take pressure off India as the visitors looked solid, with the duo playing the Australian bowlers with ease.
Josh Hazlewood and James Faulkner were the pick of the bowlers for Australia, not giving any easy balls to the India batsmen, who also played them with some respect. However, Kohli and Rohit were aggressive against the likes of Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell.
Sharma's innings was filled with boundaries as he hit 13 fours and seven sixes, while Kohli also managed to hit nine fours and one six. Rohit and Kohli were involved in a 207-run partnership for the second wicket before Kohli fell for 91 to the bowling of James Faulkner, who also dismissed MS Dhoni for 18 runs in the 49th over.
However, Rohit continued his big hits at the other end, helping India cross 300 runs in the 50th over with the right-hander hitting a boundary and a six along with a few singles.
With such a huge total, the Indian bowlers, primarily debutant Barinder Sran, provided the perfect start. The newcomer managed to dismiss both the Australia openers — Aaron Finch and David Warner — within the first five overs.
The Indian team looked sharp as they sensed an opening into the middle order, but Smith and Bailey played some quality cricket to take the game away from the visitors.
As Smith and Bailey began to pick runs off the India bowlers with ease all around the park, Dhoni had to bring in his number one bowler, Ravichandran Ashwin, who has bailed out India a number of times in the past. However, the spinner could not take wickets when his skipper wanted.
He managed to take two wickets in the latter half of the game, but it was a bit too late, with Australia requiring only 37 runs after he dismissed Bailey and Maxwell in quick succession.
Smith, who scored 149 runs, was also dismissed by Sran, who finished with an impressive three wickets on debut, but the Australia skipper had already done his job before Faulkner came to the batting crease and hit the winning runs.
With this defeat, India have to win the second ODI, which is set to be played at Brisbane Cricket Ground on 15 January, to draw level and increase their chances of making a comeback in the series.
Watch India vs Australia 1st innings highlights
Click here for highlights from 1-10 overs.
Click here for highlights from 11-20 overs.
Click here for highlights from 21-30 overs.
Click here for highlights from 31-40 overs.
Click here for highlights from 41-50 overs.
India vs Australia second innings highlights
Click here for highlights from 1-10 overs.
Click here for highlights from 11-20 overs.
Click here for highlights from 21-30 overs.
Click here for highlights from 31-40 overs.
Click here for highlights from 41-50 overs.
