A fairly long rain break was not able to save Australia after their listless batting display as the visitors lost the first of the three-match T20I series by nine wickets (DLS Method) at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi on Saturday, October 7.
With the win in MS Dhoni's hometown, India also complted their seven successive T20I win over Australia.
India cruised to the revised target of 48 in six overs with three balls to spare despite losing Rohit Sharma (11) early. Skipper Virat Kohli (22* in 14 balls) and Shikhar Dhawan (15* off 12 balls) did not panic and went about their jobs calmy to help the hosts go past the finish line.
Virat Kohli's last five T20I games against the Aussies:
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) October 7, 2017
90*, 59*, 50, 82* & 22*#IndvAus
7️⃣th win in a row for Ind against Aus. Looks like there will be no end to Australian Cricket Team's Indian Nightmare anytime soon #INDvsAUS
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) October 7, 2017
Australia's debutant Jason Beherendroff impressed as he gave his team a glimmer of hope by conceding just five runs in the first over. While Adam Zampa (6 for 0) was also impressive, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Andrew Tye and Dan Christian were ordinary when the team needed a few extra-special efforts.
Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah impress
Earlier in the day, after losing Steve Smith to injury, Australia's woes were compounded as they were put into bat first on a low and slow wicket by Virat Kohli, who won the toss. Stand-in skipper David Warner (8), who was expected to fire at the top of the order, was dismissed early by Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Aaron Finch though kept going strong after partnering with Glenn Maxwell, who looked extremely uncomfortable during his 16-ball stay (17 runs) in the middle. The big-hitter threw away a decent start when he got out off a short ball from Yuzvendra Chahal.
Wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav then ran through the Australian line-up when he dismissed Finch (42) and Moises Henriques (8) in quick succession. Hardik Pandya, who was expensive in the powerplay, joined the party when he removed Travis Head for 9 in the 14th over.
Bumrah does business as usual
Death bowling specialist Jasprit Bumrah proved why he is one of the most lethal bowlers in the shortest format of the game when he disturbed the woodwork twice in the 18th over to remove Tim Paine (17) and Coulter-Nile.
The two teams will now head to Guwahati for the second T20I, which will be played on Tuesday, October 10.
