Indian batter KL Rahul celebrates after winning the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup match against Australia, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, in Chennai, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023. (PTI)India vs Australia World Cup 2023 Highlights: India started their World Cup campaign off with a resounding victory against Australia at the Chepauk on Sunday. After the bowlers had successfully restricted Australia to 199 in the first innings, Virat Kohli (85) and KL Rahul (97*) helped the hosts reach the target in 41.2 overs.
India vs Australia Live Score, World Cup 2023 Final
Kohli and Rahul weaved a 150+ runs’ partnership and dragged India out of the quagmire after they were in a world of trouble when they lost 3 wickets for just 2 runs on the board with skipper Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer all back in the hut.
The Indian Express’ Venkata Krishna B is covering the game live at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Earlier, Pat Cummins won the toss and opts to bat first and Shubman Gill misses out for the hosts and Ishan Kishan will open in place of him in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday. It will be the first match of the tournament for both teams, and both will be eager to start on a winning note
India
201/4 (41.2)Australia
199 (49.3)India beat Australia by 6 wickets
India vs Australia World Cup 2023 Live.
When Virat Kohli miscued a pull on 12, it wasn’t just the Indian fans who had their hearts in their mouths. In the dressing room, R Ashwin says he was agonised for a moment and wished they had bowled Australia out for 20-runs less.
“When you get older, the recovery time seems to take longer! It was so hot today, (after our bowling) I was in an ice bath and by the time I ate, the umpires had already gone in. Then soon Ishan Kishan fell. Then two more!
When Virat skied that ball, I ran to the [adjoining] Bell’s road (laughs). I was like, ‘Dei! what’s happening here da, maybe we should have got them out for 20 runs less!” Ashwin said on Star Sports Tamil. “And when he [Mitch Marsh] dropped the catch I went, ‘yabbaaa, (phew!) and came back!”
A story in Wellington cricket circles goes that one morning, Cricket Wellington’s youth development coach Ivan Tissera tagged a 10-year-old boy to the Hutt Recreation Ground in Lower Hutt Wellington for a nets session with the U-15s. The boy, barely four and a half feet, was asked to pad up against Henry Walsh, a nearly six-foot tall left-arm seamer, then touted as the next big thing in Wellington cricket. Walsh’s parents grumbled over their son having to bowl at a nine-year-old. But in barely 20 minutes, they were wondering why their son was being subjected to this humiliation by a boy who was just a little taller than the stumps. He not just batted emphatically but unpacked an array of strokes that left the spectators stunned. (READ MORE)
At one point when R Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav were getting the ball to rip off the surface and kept beating the batsmen, Jadeja was seen gesturing to Rohit Sharma to hand over the ball to him. Who better than him to know what he can do here on such a track.
For two months a year, when the IPL happens, there is a template masterminded by MS Dhoni that Chennai Super Kings stick with. Having stocked their squad with tweakers, they roll out pitches with plenty of assistance for their three spinners, especially those who bowl in line with the stumps. Barring the recently concluded IPL, where CSK opted for flat decks at the start, it is a template that has worked wonders for them. (READ MORE)
A partition refugee rehabilitation area it might've started out as, but this corner of the capital teems with the 'we can make something out of nothing' spirit that Virat Kohli personifies. Read Sriram Veera's piece on how West delhi shaped Kohli. (READ MORE)
Team India are tipped to be the favourites to claim the World Cup title. This had led to a lot of pressure on the Indian players... to provide free tickets! (READ MORE)
Hosts India will be favourites entering the 2023 World Cup and started their campaign against five-time champions Australia in Chennai with a win. The last time the tournament was held in the sub-continent in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh under the captaincy of MS Dhoni India lifted the trophy after 28 years.
‘Dhil’ (guts) is a popular Chennai trait that is in vogue for a few decades now. “Dhil venum machi” (You need guts, mate) – is something you keep hearing around here. Of late, the ever-popular ‘machi’ has given way to the more ubiquitous ‘bro’ and ‘ji’ among the youth but that characteristic essence is one of the primary traits that Tamil director Gautham Vasudev Menon infuses in his male protagonists.
“No matter where you are, Chennai boys are always considered an underdog, someone who is unassuming and can be written off. And ultimately when we get an opportunity, we go the extra mile. A Chennai boy has that dhil. He is gutsy, keeps trying, keeps searching for something new. When you study in colleges here, you pick it up because it hardens you like anything. Namaku extra va oru dhil iruku (Our boys are a bit more courageous),” Gautham tells The Indian Express.
It doesn’t matter if his lead character plays a lover boy or a police commissioner, sales representative, wannabe movie director, Army major, biker, or college student, they all have Dhil. Often, his hero is an engineering student. Like Ravichandran Ashwin. (READ MORE)
Ahead of India's World Cup campaign, captain Rohit Sharma opens up on him being a self-made man, facing adversity, and how he shields himself from the social media noise and focusses on real bonds with teammates past & present. (READ MORE)
Pretty exciting. Good feeling to come out on top. It was a good game to start the tournament for us. I thought it was magnificent, especially the fielding and we saw the effort from everyone today, conditions like this it would be tough. Our bowlers used the conditions perfectly and we knew there would be assistance for everyone, even the seamers got some reverse, the spinners bowled in the nice areas and all in all it was a great effort. I was (nervous), you don't want to start your innings like that, credit to the Aussies bowlers as they bowled in good areas but some loose shots as well, when you have that kind of target you want to score as much as possible in the powerplay, but credit to Virat and KL on how they went about the chase. That is going to be the challenge for us as a team, moving to different conditions and adapting, whoever suits the conditions will have to come and do the job. Chennai never disappoints, they love their cricket and for them to sit in that heat and come out and cheer the team says a lot.
At least 50 odd (short with the bat). It was tough, trying to defend anything under 200.. It was a really good bowling attack and their spinners made it tough work out there. I wasn't too upset (with just two spinners), we had 20 overs of spin but some more runs on the board would have made the difference. I have already forgotten about it (the drop catch), it happens, 4/10 would have been a dream start. He (Hazlewood) is class bowler and posses a lot of questions, stays in that area and was fantastic today. We have to review this one, absolutely a tough surface, but what if we are up against it then what to do we do differently. Just one game out of nine, not too much to ponder about but there are some areas we need to get better. No
Quite honestly not a lot of conversation, I thought I’d get a good shower and get a break. I was just trying to get my breath back. Virat said there’s a bit in the wicket, so play like Test cricket for a while. There was a bit of help for the pacers with the new ball, and then the spinners also. In the last 15-20 overs, dew played a part and that helped quite a bit. The ball also skidded on better. However, it was a bit two-paced, it wasn’t the easiest of wickets to bat on and it wasn’t flat as well. It was a good cricket wicket, bit for the batters and the bowlers. That’s what you get in the south of India, especially Chennai. (On the last six) I hit it too well, I just calculated how to get to a 100 in the end. The only way for 4 and a six, but no qualms on not getting to that hundred.
India need just 5 and Rahul is on strike. Cummins will bowl this one. And Rahul with a six to finish this one off!! India off the mark with a 6-wicket victory. And the lights go off in the stadium. What timing!! And it's back on as well. What a match!!
Maxwell to bowl the 41st and Rahul has smacked him over long off for a maximum!! And again!!! Four more. this time over the bowler;s head. Takes a single next. Only 7 needed. 13 off this over. IND 195/4 after 41 overs
Hazlewood continues and gives away 2 from the first 3 deliveries. Interesting to see how India approach the match now with the target under 30. Will they go hell for leather or continue this way. Pandya with a six!! Here's your answer!! IND 182/4 after 40 overs
Maxwell will bowl the 39th over and Pandya with a single to give the strike to Rahul. After 2 dots, the batters trade strikes with this over offering up just 4. IND 172/4 after 39 overs
Hazlewood in the attack and Kohli defends the first delivery. Same for the second. Back to back dots. And he's gone!! Goes for a pull shot and Labuschagne with the catch at midwicket. IND 167/4 after 37.4 overs
The ball is being changed yet again as the batters get some much-needed break. Bad fumble in the deep by Cameron Green to turn what would have been a one to a 3. Zampa does not look best pleased. IND 167/3 after 37 overs
Australia are desperate for wickets now and Cummis turns to Hazlewood. Kohli with a single to bring up the 150-run partnership. After a couple of dots, Rahul takes 2 more. In the aiir next and just evades the fielder and races towards the long on boundary for 4!! IND 159/3 after 36 overs
Great players usually don't give the opposition a chance. But when they do, the other side better take it. As the match keeps drifting away from the Men in yellow, everyone of an Aussie persuasion just kept wondering 'what if'. None more so than Mitchell Marsh who dropped a skier before Virat Kohli had settled. India would have been 20/4 chasing 200, with their talisman back in the pavilion. It would have made the Australians favourites, but Kohli put his head down thereafter and played the situation brilliantly. Herschelle Gibbs once dropped Steve Waugh, and the World Cup. Even though Marsh's error may not be terminal for the prospects of the five-time champions, they may never quite stop wondering 'what if'.(Tushar Bhaduri)
Zampa in the attack and Kohli with a single to start. He moves to 78. 2 more rom the next 2 balls as the batters keep rotating strikes, frustrating the Australians. 150 up for India. A single by Kohli to end this one to keep strike in the next over. IND 151/3 after 35 overs
Starc continues and after 2 runs, Kohli has been hit on the helmet. A concussion check will be administered now even though Kohli says he's ok. We restart again and Kohli smokes the ensuing ball for a boundary!! Take that!! IND 146/3 after 34 overs
Zampa in to bowl the next and Kohli welcomes him with a punch through deep extra cover for a boundary!! Takes a single next and Rahul is on strike. They'll probably change gears now and go after the bowlers after absorbing the pressure. IND 139/3 after 33 overs
Starc in the attack now and Kohli takes two to start this one off. A wide next as the target keeps getting smaller by the over. And finally a boundary as Rahul slams Starc. IND 132/3 after 32 overs
Maxwell conrinues and gives away 2 from the first two as Kohli and Rahul aren't taking any chances. A little delay now as the ball is being changed. Just 4 from this one. IND 124/3 after 31 overs
Cummins continues and starts off with 2 back to back dots as Rahul looks to navigate the choppy waters. A single to get off the mark and Kohli on strike where he defends ensuing couple of balls. IND 120/3 after 30 overs. Drinks break now.
Maxwell back in the attack after alittle drinks break for Kohli which the umpire clearly disapproved as he told them to get a move on. Just 3 from this over as Maxwell continues his economical spell. IND 119/3 after 29 overs
Rahul on strike and he's batting on 49. Cummins to bowl. And Rahul places it for a single to bring up his half century. What did Cummins just bowl? It's wide and well wide and is been called a no. Free hit which is a wide. He has to bowl it again and Kohli slaps it over deep midwicket for a four!! that has come after long last. IND 116/3 after 28 overs
Rahul on strike as Zampa continues and he gets to 48 with a single. Kohli returns the favour with a single of his own and that's the 100-run partnership for the duo. IND 105/3 after 27 overs. Target under 100 now.
Both batters are on the cusp of scoring half centuries as the partnership grows by leaps and bounds. The Australian skipper Cummins has brought himself on. Rahul takes a single and Kohli, who is on 48, is on strike. Pulls and Kohli gets to his 50!!! Huge innings, this one. IND 100/3 after 26 overs
Zampa continues and Kohli and Rahul are dealing in singles at the moment. The 4th is timed nicely by Rahul but all it gets is a 2 with Australia having cover near the ropes. We are halfway done in this innings. IND 97/3 after 25 overs
Hazlewood in to bowl the 24th over and Kohli starts this one off with a defence. Same for the next one as the pressure continues. Finally, he gets a single to put Rahul on strike. A boundary hasn't come for a while now and the crowd are getting restless. IND 92/3 after 24 overs
Zampa changing ends and replaces Starc. Kohli starts this one off with a single before Rahul smashes one towards deep midwicket for a single of his own. The boundaries are being properly marshalled by the Australians with every attempted drive finding a fielder. Just the 3 from this one. IND 90/3 after 23 overs
Hazlewood is back in the attack and yields two from the first two deliveries. Rahul wants another single but he's turned down by Kohli as a yellow shirt was approaching rapidly. Both batters in the 40s now. Just 5 from this one. IND 87/3 after 22 overs
Starc back in the attack and the two batters rotate strikes expertly. 2 from the first 2 deliveries. Rahul on strike and he's pretty patient, just knocking the ball around. No runs though. IND 82/3 after 21 overs
Zampa will continue and Kohli and Rahul are navigating ths over perfectly with well placed singles and twos. The Indian dressing room looks far more relaxed now. IND 80/3 after 20 overs
A change of ends for Mitchell Starc. And a change in rhythm of the game as well. Just like that, KL Rahul has brought this chase into India's concer. Four more runs off Starc's over and India will take it. 73/3 after 19 overs. 127 needed off the last 31.
KL Rahul stamps his authority over Adam Zampa in the latter's first over. Let's keep in mind that the Australian knows how to get rid of the Indian. But all of that time spend in the middle has given him a reading of the surface.
First up, a late cut from the off stump. He reads the googly that skidds onto the off stump. Rahul is taking a big risk here by waiting late before cutting it behind for four as the ball is lined up on the off stump.
His second cut, is even more late. Zampa has lost his length. Offers a full toss to close the over and it's the easiest of the shots he has to play. A wristy pick through covers for four. 13 runs come off the over. 69/3 after 18 overs.
Mitchell Starc back into the attack. Nop, no signs of Adam Zampa yet. Even though he holds the number of the two batters in the middle. Five dismissals of Virat Kohli and four of KL Rahul from 12 outings. Starc though, keeps up with his first spell. Another miserly over from him. 56/3 after 17 overs.
50 up for India and 50 partnersip up between Virat Kohli and KL Rahul. Meanwhile Glenn Maxwell has been doing a terrific job as a part-timer. Just the three runs come off his fourth over. Only six had come from his last three. 52/3 after 16 overs.
No boundaries off the last three overs and Virat Kohli breaks the shackles. Back-to-back boundaries for the India number three. Green pitches it full and on the off stump the first time. A wristy flick through mid wicket for four. Next one is slightly towards the leg, same shot and same result. 49/3, India after 15 overs.
Cameron Green into the attack. "He holds the key for Australia because Stoinis isn't playing," says Ravi Shastri on the comms. In India, the all-rounder hasn't been able to impress with the ball though. Another test to look out for. Three singles negotiated in his first over. 38/3 after 13 overs.
It's been Rahul on strike for nine of Maxwell's 12 deliveries so far and he'd want to keep that proportion intact. Right arm finger spinners is the category of bowlers he enjoys playing against the most. He ain't in no hurry though. Just the two runs come from the 12th over. 35/3, India.
A gorgeously executed open-faced-bat shot from KL Rahul. Sees the length ball outside off all the way through and just uses the pace on offer from Pat Cummins to adjust the bat face and squeeze the ball between the fielders at short cover and short third. First boundary of the day for him. 32/3 after 11 overs.
Well, well, well!
Those first 10 overs just opened this game a lot more. The Australian pacers have utlised the breeze from the marina bay on offer and Ishan Kishan, Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer sit in the dugout.
But Virat Kohli and KL Rahul seem to be taking their time now. Kohli gets a lifeline off Hazlewood. Can he make it count?
After 10 overs, India are 27/3.
Almost 2015 MCG deja-vu from that world cup semifinal there with Virat Kohli. A shortish ball, and he swivelled into his pull, and skied it. 8 years before, it was the wicketkeeper Brad Haddin who rushed across to take the catch off the bowling of Mitch Johnson. Alex Carey wasn’t so swift this time, and Mitch Marsh clangs it. Kohli suggests late the ball sort of skidded on. Not sure what he signalled at SCG but one remembers beer cans and inflatable life-sized toys thrown up in glee in the stands by the Australians. They immediately sensed that the game was over, then.
21/3 after eight overs.
First change of the evening for Australia. Captain Pat Cummins introduces himself instead of Starc and finds the movement on offer right from the word go.
Just the two runs off his first. 20/3 after seven overs.
Hazlewood has been pitching an eyeing the same line and length since the start now and Kohli has had enough. Steps out of his crease and covers the line outside off stump by moving from the leg stump to the off. Boundary down long off for the right hander and that seems to have opened him up. Confidently flicks the last ball down fine leg. Mitchell Starc cuts that out. Can he do so with Kohli's mini momentum cashed in towards the end of the sixth over? India, 18/3.
Another tight over from Starc this. Kohli yet to find his mojo in the middle and Starc is ensuring that he doesn't anytime soon. Relentless full deliveries being thrown and there's swing on offer for the left armer. Doesn't take much to figure out why he's amongst some of the greatest to have graced the World Cup.
Most wickets in ODI World Cup:
71 - Glenn McGrath
68 - Muttiah Muralitharan
56 - Lasith Malinga
55 - Wasim Akram
50 - Mitchell Starc*
Hazlewood continues from the other end. KL Rahul finds the first boundary of the evening for India. Hazlewood with an overpitched delivery and Rahul drives it through covers for four. That'll do him a load of good. 10/3 after four overs.
A loud cheer rings around the venue as Kohli gets off the mark. Early wickets and they know who to turn to in this chase. Been there done that sort of experience for India's number three when it comes to tough chases on the big stage. Only last year had he shouldered an exceptional T20 World Cup opener chase against Pakistan at the Big G. Can he put another one of his acts here with the home crowd rallying behind him?
Just the three runs from the third over. India, 5/3.
Tushar Bhaduri: Playing one's natural game is a sporting cliché. But sometimes, it could be just daft. Ishan Kishan, playing his first-ever World Cup game, came out to open because Shubman Gill was not available. With just 200 to chase, there was no need to chase a wide swinging delivery from Mitchell Starc, who specialises in getting wickets with the new ball, with two slips in place. But sometimes, one becomes a victim of one's own reputation and can't hold back. Kishan may have felt obliged to live up to his swashbuckling stardom. Whatever may be the explanation, sometimes discretion is the better part of valour. The folly was compounded when Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer departed in the next over, leaving India tottering at 2/3.
Hazlewood strikes again in his first over. A horror shot from Shreyas Iyer straight to David Warner at short cover. Chepauk is stunned to pin drop silence. That's more like the five-time world champions. India, three down for two runs at the end of the second over.
An eye-widening difference in the amount of swing the Aussies have found with respect to what the Indians had (3.1 to 0.7 degrees)
Josh Hazlewood coming from the other end and he's able to nip one back in to Rohit Sharma. A loud lbw appeal from the Australians and the finger goes up. Rohit takes the review but it's not going to work. Umpire's call is the impact. India go two down for two runs in the second over.
Mitchell Starc removes Ishan Kishan in the first over. WOW!
Pressing forward and looking to slash hard outside the off stump has been a known chink in Kishan's armor. And it's got the better off him in Chennai. So much for all the talk around having left-handers to counter left-arm seamers' hold over India's top order right handers!
India 2/1 as Virat Kohli walks in.