India got off to a great start with the ball as Mitchell Marsh (0) was brilliant caught at slip by a diving Kohli off Jasprit Bumrah. David Warner and Steve Smith added 69 runs for the second wicket. However, neither batter could convert their start. Warner dragged a return catch to Kuldeep Yadav, having made 41 off 52 balls. Steven Smith was then knocked over by Jadeja for 46 off 71 deliveries.
Jadeja then struck twice in one over to reduce Australia for 119/5. Marnus Labuschagne (27 off 41) was caught behind, attempting a sweep, while Alex Carey (0) was trapped leg before playing across the line. The lower order could not offer much resistance, but a handy 28 off 35 balls from Mitchell Starc lifted them to 199. Apart from Jadeja, Kuldeep finished with 2/42 and Bumrah with 2/35.
Chasing 200, India were off to a horrible start, losing three wickets with only two runs on the board. Ishan Kishan (0) played a loose stroke outside off and was caught at slip. Rohit Sharma (0) was trapped lbw by an incoming delivery from Josh Hazlewood. Shreyas Iyer also played a poor stroke, chipping Hazlewood straight to cover.
India could have lost Kohli for 12 as he top-edged a short ball off Hazlewood. However, Marsh dropped the catch following a mix-up with Alex Carey. Australia had to pay a very heavy price for the let-off as Kohli and Rahul did not offer any other chance to the Aussies. With no pressure of the run rate, both batters took their time early on. They got their eye in and lent solidity to the innings.
Once they got settle, it was easy going for both Rahul and Kohli. Kohli struck six fours in his 85 before dragging a short ball from Hazlewood to midwicket. Rahul remained unbeaten, hitting eight fours and two sixes. He also hitting the winning runs via a maximum, launching Pat Cummins over the ropes.
--By A Cricket Correspondent
