India vs Australia Highlights: Cameos from Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad help IND win by 5 wickets

Just when it was looking all good for Surya he played an ariel shot where he flicked the ball to legside and was caught near the boundary. He would have loved to finish this game off but not to be today. It might leave a bitter taste in his mouth but there were plenty of positives the way he has batted today and the approach he took. He came in a tricky situation and got along with KL Rahul to build this brilliant partnership. India still need 12 to get and Jadeja has walked into the middle. After 47.2 overs IND 266/5

India head coach Rahul Dravid defended the selection of Suryakumar Yadav in the squad, despite his middling returns in this format. The Mumbai batsman only 24.40 after 27 ODIs, but Dravid insisted that the team management has complete faith in him, the highest-ranked batsman in T20Is.

“I don’t think Surya needs to worry about September 27 (the day the final World Cup squad will be announced). We back him because he has the quality and ability that we have seen,” said Dravid. (Read more)

A fine 50-run partnership comes up between @klrahul & @surya_14kumar ??

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— BCCI (@BCCI) September 22, 2023

This has been a brilliant innings from Surya so far. He has hardly tried to sweep any deliveries all the shots he has played are good cricket shots which went for a boundary. This is a very different Surya we are witnessing here ahead of the World Cup. If he can play this way and manage this tempo he always has the power game which he can use. However, the job is not done yet he needs to stay till the end and finish the job here. KL Rahul at the other end is batting well and looking to support Surya who is looking fluent. After 41 overs IND 229/4

Surya and KL Rahul have batted maturely and are playing every ball on its merit so far. They have not premeditated yet. However, boundaries have stopped for the last few overs and there seems to be a slight tension building here. There are suggestions from the commentary box that maybe Cummins need to get one more fielder into the ring which might be a gamble given the situation of the game as one big over may deflate the Australian side. It is not a question of run rate but it may hit the morale of the bowlers.After 39 overs IND 218/4

As the ball is getting older it is getting difficult to bat. In the last 30 minutes or so there have been a lot of inside edges than there have been before for the entire game. However, Australia had one main spinner in Zampa and his overs were done. They have five overs of Short left and it is highly doubtful that with two right-handers in the middle Cummins will take that risk. Abbott has the reputation of having a good slower one and a yorker. He still has four left and with the support of other bowlers, he might try and get a bit of inroads into the Indian middle order. After 37 overs IND 205/4

They are not completely in but seems like they are slowly clawing back their way into it. India too has started to lose momentum in the last few overs. Despite that India is still the favourite to win this game at this point in time. Australia needs to pick up a few quick wickets to put some pressure on the batting as at this point in time there is no run-rate pressure as it is very much under control and under six. It will be interesting to see how Surya will approach the innings will he take his chances and try and end this quickly or will he play cautiously and stay in the end with a not-out and few runs to his name. After 35 overs IND 196/4

The left-hander looking in good touch tried to play a cheeky shot trying to uppercut the ball and get a faint edge to the keeper Inglis. Soft dismissal that for Kishan a poor shot selection from him as well. The team management would have hoped for him to get a score today and take the game deep and stay not out in the end however it is not meant to be. Suryakumar Yadav has walked into the middle and this is an ideal situation for him to play his natural game which is attacking cricket. After 33 overs IND 185/4

The Australian spinner started poorly and had a couple of good overs in the middle where he picked up Gaikwad and Gill but once he got through them he started to bowl poorly again and went defensive against Rahul and Kishan. He started to bowl a few loose ones as the batters started to go after him. It is a big problem for Australia going into the World Cup with their premium spinner not looking in full confidence and his older self. They want him to get back into form in this series in helpful conditions so he might be fit and firing in the opening game against India in Chennai. After 31 overs IND 179/3

Though the team would be disappointed with the failure of Shreyas Iyer one positive in this situation is it is a good test for both Rahul and Kishan to show their middle-order batting abilities. There are still enough runs left for India to collapse from here on and Zampa is getting a bit of help from the surface so it is a challenge for Kishan and Rahul to take India home from here on. These are the kind of situations the time might be facing in the World Cup more often than not in run chases. It will be interesting to see how this pair deals with this situation will they take the game deep are take the counter-attacking approach? After 29 overs IND 168/3

Zampa bowls Gill with a beautiful slider! India have lost 3-9 and Australia are back in this match #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/CvMnMnMCLG

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 22, 2023

Throughout his stay, Iyer looked like a cat on a hot tin roof. He looked in discomfort throughout the knock worrying about the short ball from Green which never came however, his demise eventually came with a runout when he tried to sneak a single which was never there. He ran halfway down the pitch but Gill did not move a muscle and then Iyer realised that and turned back in the meantime, the fielder threw the ball and the keeper took care of the rest. He was unhappy with himself as he walked back but it was his fault completely. After 24.2 overs IND 149/2

It is against the run of play as the Indian batters were looking in brilliant touch. Gaikwad was playing some sumptuous shots before making the error. After scoring a boundary with the deft touch towards the third man Gaikwad got too greedy and tried to sweep the ball missed it completely and was trapped in front of the wicket. Nevertheless an excellent knock from Gaikwad and it will give him a huge confidence going forward. Shreyas Iyer has walked into the middle and Indian fans would be hoping that he gets some time in the middle and scores some runs. After 22 overs IND 143/1

Pat Cummins has used six bowlers in the first 20 overs of the innings and seems like there has been plenty of rotation of the bowlers so far. In the noon when it was humid, it would have been a good strategy but now it seems like the bowlers are not getting settled into a rhythm one poor over Cummins is changing the bowler. Zampa bowled a couple of overs and Cummins has changed his end. However, whatever might be the logic behind that it is not working at the moment and he might consider altering the plan.  After 20 overs IND 129/0

Pat Cummins has used six bowlers in the first 20 overs of the innings and seems like there has been plenty of rotation of the bowlers so far. In the noon when it was humid, it would have been a good strategy but now it seems like the bowlers are not getting settled into a rhythm one poor over Cummins is changing the bowler. Zampa bowled a couple of overs and Cummins has changed his end. However, whatever might be the logic behind that it is not working at the moment and he might consider altering the plan.  After 20 overs IND 129/0

Ruturaj Gaikwad joins the party with a fine half-century.

Brings up his maiden ODI FIFTY.

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— BCCI (@BCCI) September 22, 2023

It has been another stunning knock from the youngster. He looked untroubled right from the first ball and played some sublime shots throughout that knock. Some of the shot-making has been a reminder of why people consider him one of the stars of the next generation. Gaikwad on the other end is playing his role nicely he is hitting a boundary every now and then and keeping his strike rate decent and in the midst of all that is giving the strike to Gill who is doing the bulk of the scoring in this partnership. After 16 overs IND 101/0

The Australian side is looking a bit shell-shocked now they initially struggled with the bat and with the ball they have been toothless. Cummins has brought off-spinner Short into attack which seems like more of a defensive option at this point in time rather than brining his premium spinner Zampa into attack. Also Cummins might be a bit wary of what has happened recently in South Africa and might be thinking to bring him in when there are new batter in rather then expose when two set batters who are looking comfortable and are going after the bowling. After 13 overs IND 83/0

Right from the captain Pat Cummins, the Australian bowlers have been a tad-bit short instead of pitching the ball up and let-it swing. This is poor from the Aussies as Mohammed Shami showed in the first innings how to bowl on this surface and despite that the Australian bowlers tried to do something which failed badly. 11 overs into the game India is all over Australia. They might be considering bringing in Adam Zampa soon into the attack. He has had a poor series in South Africa but he has always done well in India in the past and may enjoy bowling on this surface which is gripping a bit. After 11 overs IND 68/0

Ruturaj Gaikwad is looking a bit uncomfortable at the moment he has faced over 30 balls for his 17. Gaikwad is a brilliant player however, he has his flaws. In the past, he has shown he struggles against the ball which is coming back in a bit. Though Australia did not try and do that a lot today he seems to be in a bit of discomfort. He also gave a half chance to Inglis which he dropped. However, irrespective of all that India has started really well here and Australia needs to pick a few wickets to get back into the game. After 8.3 overs IND 49/0

Cummins brought the bowling change here after a couple of overs of Stoinis he realised quickly the ball was not swinging much hence he brought Abbott into the attack who is more the hit-the-deck bowler. He is good with his bowling variations and if there is no dew this surface might grip a bit. Also interesting to see that Mathew Short will be doing the job of second spinner in the side. He is an off-spinner and will be interesting to see if Cummins will use him with so many right-handers in the Indian line up and if yes when will he use him? He also has the option of Cameron Green who can be pretty dangerous as well. After 6.2 overs IND 42/0

The star batter has stared brilliantly here. Both Cummins and Stoinis are not getting much of the surface hence the batter is hitting the ball through the line and also Gill has played all his cricket growing up here and would know the conditions better than who is playing today here. Without Starc and Hazelwood Australia's pace attack is looking very thin and they would be hoping their prime bowlers to comeback and bowl more overs under their belt to get the rhythm going and understand the conditions as well. After 4.2 overs IND 32/0

Pat Cummins has taken the new ball for Australia long with Marcus Stoins. The latter has been taking the new ball even in the series against South Africa he has been swinging the new ball and has been troubled by the batters. This surface did swing a bit early on for Shami and Bumrah and it might do a bit under the lights here. We have to wait and see if the dew will come into play. It is already dark here at 6 PM which is a bit unusual at this time of the year. It will be interesting to see how Gaikwad will approach his innings today. After 1.4 overs IND 12/0

Very happy, enjoy the company of Siraj a lot. It’s important to bowl in the right areas and set the tone. Yes, it was hot out here. There wasn’t much out of the wicket so the only option was to bowl good lengths and mix-up your variations. Feels good when you put in the effort and get wickets, it’s good for the team and for your confidence.

One must say it has been bittersweet innings for both the sides hence a mediocre total. Neither would be India over the top as their fielding was sloppy and neither will Australia be over the moon with their batting effort. It is a difficult pitch to bat on and is not a regular Mohali wicket. If there is no dew in the second inning it is not going to be easy for India as Australia too have Zampa and Short who are capable spinners and Indian batting line-up has showed they do have a slight weakness against spin in the middle overs. 

That's a 5-wicket haul for @MdShami11 ??

His second in ODIs.

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— BCCI (@BCCI) September 22, 2023

Stoinis tried to play an ugly swipe across the line and missed the ball and the ball hit the stumps for a wicket. Massive wicket that for India at this stage of the game the wicket could be a difference of 20-30 runs from here on. Mathew Short has walked into the middle and he too is a dangerous batter. The last few overs have ben very productive for Australi but the question remains are these runs enough to defend. After 47.1 overs Australia 250/6

Pratyush Raj from Mohali: For the past one year, Josh Inglis has travelled with the team and has hardly got game time. In South Africa, he has scored a fifty in a winning cause in the second ODI. Megan Kincart, Inglis's wife, who is sitting in the media box with their three-month-old son, is enjoying his partner's batting. He chipped in with a cheeky comment, "he has carried drinks only," before bursting into laughter.

ICYMI

Direct-Hit Alert!

Confusion in the middle & @surya_14kumar gets the throw right to dismiss Cameron Green.#TeamIndia | #INDvAUS | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/Alg6Avxyif

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 22, 2023

Green's wicket has put a further dent in the chances of Australia getting a big score today. Stoinis has walked into the middle he is a brutal striker of the cricket ball if he can take on the bowling from here on Australia can get to a respectable total. This is not a regular Mohali wicket and it has been a little bit on the slower side. If Australia can get to 280 and thereabouts it will be a good total for them to defend. After 41.4 overs Australia 199/5

Pratyush Raj from Mohali: The upcoming tour of Punjabi singer and rapper Shubhneet Singh, popularly known by his stage name ‘Shubh’, was cancelled on Wednesday (September 20), days after he made headlines for his alleged support for Khalistan and separatists.

The Canada-based singer was scheduled to perform in several cities, including Bengaluru, Delhi, and Kolkata over the next two months. He was also listed among the headliners of a cruise festival scheduled later this week aboard Cordelia Cruises in Mumbai. The development came amid the ongoing protests, led by  Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) – the youth wing of BJP – in Mumbai, against Shubh. One of the demands of BJYM was to cancel the singer’s tour and show.

BJYM has alleged that on March 23, 2023, Shubh posted two stories on his Instagram account, which had a distorted map of India without Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab, along with the caption “Pray for Punjab”.

It was a fifteen minute rainbreak. The time will be reduced from the dinner break. Not instead of a 45 minute, the innings break will be off 30 minutes. Meanwhile, Shubh playing in the background as well reports Partyush Raj from Mohali. 

He did not start well but as he went deep into his spell his bowling got better and better. After the rain break in that final over he started to bowl a lot more slowly and looked more threatening before that he was bowling a lot more variations. Australians too are looking a lot more proactive after the break seems like they have a clear target in the mind which they would be looking to get from here on. After 37.3 overs Australia 172/4

DJ is trying to cheer the crowd with a Sidhu Mosewala’s classic “unchyaan hi galiyaan teri yaar diyaan.” A big roar from the crowd not AR Rahman’s Bande Maatram track is on reports Partyush Raj from Mohali

It's raining. The cover are coming on. The players are walking back. It's just a passing shower reports Partyush Raj from Mohali

Marnus tries to reverse sweep Ashwin and gets a glove to Rahul which he drops however, the ball hits the stumps with Marnus being out of his crease it was a 50-50 call and after multiple replays, the umpire decided it is out. We have a bit of drizzle here. Green at the other end is chewing up deliveries without too many returns. Jos Inglis has walked into the middle and he has had the reputation of playing the spin well and he started well with a sweep. The ball has started to grip a bit here. After 33.4 overs Australia 163/4

Light and moderate rain with thunderstorms and lightning is likely over the parts of Tricity (Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula) and the adjoining areas during next two or three hours - India Meteorological Department

There is a passing storm. It took away the bails and KN Ananthapadmanabhan's hat. There is a predicted rain in the evening for around fifteen minutes reports Pratyush Raj from Mohali. 

Australia are on their way again to score a decent total on this surface. This is not a traditional Mohali wicket where 350 plays 350 seems like it is a surface where 300 will be good if there won't be dew in the second innings. If dew comes into play it is a different proposition altogether in the evening. Also, Indian spinners have the advantage of bowling in the day here. Ashwin is brought into the attack by KL Rahul it will be interesting to see how he will utilise his troops from here on. After 30 overs Australia 151/3

Rahul has now brought back Bumrah and Shami into the attack for short bursts and it is a good passage of play for India as Jadeja and the other seam bowling combinations from the other end are not letting the Australians run away from the game. It will be interesting to see when will Ashwin be brought back into the attack as the rest of the Australian batting order is filled with right-handers and Ashwin did not start well today. Australian batters too would be biting their time and hope for Rahul to bring back the off-spinner and target him. After 27.1 overs Australia 137/3

Poor keeping from KL Rahul when he missed a chance to runout Marnus. The batter played short to covers and Surya mis-fielded the ball initially however, he picked it up immediately but Marnus ran half-way down the pitch Green did not respond whatsoever and Marnus tried to get back and Surya threw the ball straight to Rahul which he missed ruining a simple runout chance. India's fielding has been poor today. Iyer missed a chance of Warner earlier and now this. Even in Asia Cup, there were a few games where the fielding has been below par. If there are ambitions to lift the trophy come November India needs to improve in that department drastically. After 24.4 overs Australia 125/3

It was a brilliant delivery from Shami as the ball came back a long way. The ball is 10 overs old and yet Shami is getting that sort of movement from the surface is a skill to savour. The way Shami has bowled today and Shardul has it will be more and more difficult for the team management to make a call on which seamers to be picked in the playing eleven. Australia has now lost two set batters in Smith and Warner and has to rebuild the innings yet again. Marnus Labuschange and Cameron Green have walked into the middle and they need to play a good innings here to make the case for the World Cup in the Australian team. After 22.4 overs Australia 116/3

Paratyush Raj from Mohali: Second catch of the day for the local boy Shubman Gill. Nothing deafening from the crowd though, David Warner must be kicking himself, he has thrown it away. He departs for 52. Jadeja gets the wicket. Walks out for the bat is Steve Smith oops no his clone Marnus Labuschagne. After 20.3 overs Australia 109/2

The premium off-spinner has been economical so far in his spell but he did not pick any wickets either. He has been easy to play through as he has been trying to bowl too many variations in a single over because of which he is not getting any rhythm going for himself. Smith and Warner have been cautiously optimistic against him they have been taking their chances by coming down the track and playing an odd-chip shot in the air but in the midst of all that they have been rotating strike. Jadeja has been brought into the attack and it will be a battle for KL Rahul with just five bowlers and without a wrist spinner among them how will they create inroads? After 14.5 overs Australia 74/1

Injury scare for India. Shardul Thakur is looking in discomfort now reports Pratyush Raj from Mohali. Looks like the humidity is getting the better of the bowlers and seems like winning the toss and opting to bowl first has been a wrong call from Rahul. Thakur is into his fourth spell and we have seen earlier that Shami was tired by his fourth over despite that Rahul persisted with Shardul to do the same and he is in discomfort. It may be wise for Rahul from here on to give short spells for his bowlers and use them in multiple bursts for them to be more effective and fresh. After 14.5 overs Australia 74/1

The southpaw has hit a couple of sixes in the last two overs on the leg-side and he seems like he means business and want to get on with the scoring rating now. Remember there have been a lot of questions on where he would bat come the World Cup. There were even suggestions that he would come and bat in the middle order. However, there are not many openers in the world who are as dangerous as Warner is. Now he has got himself in and Mohali is an exceptional surface to bat on. India also does not have the threat of wrist spin in the middle overs hence the runs are for the taking in fact for both Warner and Smith. After 13 overs Australia 58/1

Finally, the moment has come when Ashwin has been given the ball after a long time. The off-spinner looked good in that very first over. He needs to be wary that Australian batters will try and put some pressure on him irrespective of whether the surface assisting him or not. Shardul Thakur has also been brought into the attack and he started well. Usually, Rohit when he is the captain tends to bring in Hardik Pandya at least for an over before bringing in the spinners. However seems like KL Rahul wants to use his resources differently. After 10.5 overs Australia 44/1

Pratyush Raj from Mohali: Second ball was slapped pas deep backward point. 

Shami is testing batters and KL 

Mohammed Shami is not only testing Warner and smith with his movements, but he has made life difficult for KL Rahul as well. The conditons are certainly not like Manchester in Mohali but Shami artist has kept Australi's best on theit toes. 

Kl Rahul in his recent interview with the BCCI has poke about overcoming the mental barrier he faced while rehabilitating after suffering a serious quadricep injury that laid him low for nearly four months.

“I knew coming back I’ll have to keep wicket as well. And that was one of the big concerns for physios and for me, a big question mark in my head that the biggest challenge for coming back will be wicketkeeping because of the quadricep injury.

“When you’re wicketkeeping squatting down every ball, you require a lot of strength in your quads and you need it to support you. You need your body to support you and be pain-free."

It is boiling and muggy here in Mohali. Though the sun is not out, Shami seems tired already and might have completed his new ball spell. Warner and Smith have taken the cautious route in this movement they are seeing off this new ball and might go after the bowling when Rahul brings in the changes. Bumrah who has taken the ball from the other end has started well he is hitting the right lines and lengths it is heartwarming to see although the bowler from the other end getting tired with the conditions here Bumrah is looking fresh and fit. After 8 overs Australia 31/1

Warner hits a short of a length ball outside the off stump over the slips to the boundary.

Not just the sporadic boundary, the Australians are also sneaking in runs with the foot now!

Australia are 26/1 after six overs

Australia had scored just nine off the first four overs. Then came over no 5 from Shami, where they collected 10 runs! 

Steve Smith first slapped the third ball of the over to deep extra cover, before hitting another ball to wide of mid-on. The second shot doesn't reach the boundary. 

Australia are 19/1 after five overs

Warner has faced eight balls from Shami and the veteran opener has looked all at sea so far. It’s easy to see why he gets into trouble repeatedly. If he doesn’t use his feet, he hardly reaches the pitch of the ball. His lack of reach, and lack of big forward stride prevents him. So, he is seen tamely caught at the crease, pushing and prodding, either outside the line or against the turn. He thinks he can get his wrists to save him but he isn’t that wristy a batsman.

--- From Pratyush Raj in Mohali

No wickets for the Indian speedsters after that dismissal of Marsh! But no runs also for the Aussie batters. 

Australia are 9/1 after four overs

Steve Smith, who has taken cortisone injection for his left-wrist problem, has recovered and is fit to play in the series. Smith, who played with the injury throughout the Ashes, batted for almost two hours on Wednesday evening. But he was given the rest on Thursday. Will Smith hit the ground running on a flat Mohali track?

Four byes came off the first ball of that third over. The ball beat everyone, including keeper KL Rahul. The ball hit KL Rahul's thumb on its way to the boundary, and he seemed to be in some temporary discomfort. India will hope that it's not too serious. 

Besides that first ball, Shami is frugal with the rest of his over.  

Australia are 9/1 after three overs

An excellent over first up from Jasprit Bumrah. Kept Steve Smith's bat on a leash there. 

Australia are 5/1 after two overs

A great comeback from Shami in the first over to start India's game with a bang! 

Jasprit Bumrah will be taking the ball from the other end.

Before the T20 World Cup, Pakistan Cricket Board shared a video where Shami can be seen sharing tips to Shaheen Shah Afridi at the sidelines of the nets. “Jabse maine bowling start ki hai tabse mai aapko follow kar raha hun, aapki na wrist position ka jawab nahi hai (I am following you since I started bowling and I am a big fan of your wrist position,” Shaheen had said to Shami.

Shami’s upright seam was the standout feature in his bowling, courtesy his wrist position, which he has worked on for the past twenty years. Here's what is childhood coach Badruddin has told The Indian Express. (READ MORE) Shami’s upright seam was the standout feature in his bowling, courtesy his wrist position, which he has worked on for the past twenty years.