In a gripping encounter on Tuesday, India clinched a narrow 5-wicket victory over Australia in the first match of their five-match ODI series at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The standout performance came from Indian captain Rohit Sharma, who scored a match-defining 87 runs off 92 balls, guiding his team to chase down a competitive target of 268 with 12 balls to spare.
The match began with Australia posting a respectable total of 267 for 8 in their allotted 50 overs. Opener David Warner top-scored for the visitors with 68 runs, while a late cameo from Glenn Maxwell added crucial momentum. India's bowling attack, led by Mohammed Shami, was clinical, with Shami claiming 3 wickets for 42 runs to restrict the Australian batting lineup.
During the chase, India faced early setbacks, losing two wickets within the first 10 overs. However, a resilient partnership between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who contributed 45 runs, steadied the innings. Rohit's aggressive yet calculated approach, including 9 fours and 3 sixes, turned the tide in India's favor.
Speaking after the match, Rohit emphasized the importance of composure under pressure, stating, "We knew it was going to be a tough chase, but staying calm and building partnerships was key to getting over the line." Australian captain Pat Cummins acknowledged India's dominance in the middle overs, noting, "Rohit played a fantastic knock; we couldn’t find answers to his aggression today."
Below is a summary of the key statistics from the match:
| Team | Score | Top Batter | Top Bowler |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 267/8 (50 overs) | David Warner (68 runs) | Adam Zampa (2/48) |
| India | 270/5 (48 overs) | Rohit Sharma (87 runs) | Mohammed Shami (3/42) |
The victory gives India a 1-0 lead in the series, setting the stage for an exciting second ODI scheduled for Thursday in Visakhapatnam. With both teams showcasing their strengths, fans can expect another closely contested battle as Australia looks to level the series.
