India breeze past Australia in a six-wicket win to open home World Cup in style

India, the hosts, won their opening World Cup match against Australia by six wickets, thanks to a dominant batting performance.

Picture: AAP Image

Virat Kohli and KL Rahul batted brilliantly for the home team, scoring 85 and 97 not out respectively, as India comfortably reached 201 for 4 in reply to Australia's 199.

Opener David Warner (41) and Steve Smith (46) top-scored for Australia as they struggled to create strong partnerships against India’s clinical bowlers.

Ravindra Jadeja took the wickets of Smith and Marnus Labuschagne (27) to leave India in a strong position.

Jadeja then dismissed Alex Carey lbw before Jasprit Bumrah took the wicket of Mitchell Marsh for a duck and skipper Pat Cummins (15).

India stuttered in response when openers Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan were both out for nought during a dream start for Starc and Josh Hazlewood, who claimed the dismissals.

But Kohli and Rahul steadied the ship after Shreyas Iyer also went for a duck, and the pair began knocking off the runs, hitting 16 boundaries between them.

Labuschagne finally forced an error out of Kohli, who was caught by Hazlewood after a strong 85 off 116 balls, but the damage had been done and India’s victory become a matter of if not when.

Hardik Pandya came in and managed 11 not out before Rahul extended his total to 97, sealing a convincing win for India with 52 balls remaining.


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