The World Cup campaign of India started with a 6 wickets win over Australia at the Chepauk Stadium. Though Indian bowling side restricted Australians to 199, Indian top order collapsed. Then Virat Kohli (85) and KL Rahul (97*) helped India to achieve the target with 8.4 overs remaining with their concentrated hard work.
Today Pat Cummins won the toss and opted to bat first. But Indian bowlers striked early. On his 2nd over Jasprit Bumrah set Mitchell Marsh back to pavilion with a duck. Then Warner and Smith established 69 runs partnership. Kuldeep Yadav broke the partnership making Warner (41 of 52 balls) out. Then Smith and Labuschagne, they were building a partnership. It was Ravindra Jadeja who took both of them. Smith made 46 of 71 balls. At last Cummins (15) and Starc (28) added a couple of runs in Australian total. Australia were all-out for 199 runs in 49.3 overs. Ravindra Jadeja picked 3 wickets, while Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav picked 2 each. Bumrah, Siraj, Ashwin got 1 wicket.
But India faced an early wobble. Ishan Kishan 0 of 1 ball, catch Green bowled Starc. Rohit Sharma 0 of 6 balls lbw bowled Hazlewood. Shreyas Iyer 0 of 3 balls, catch Warner bowled Hazlewood. Score board was showing India 2 for 3 in 2 overs. The trio failed to open their account and suddenly the total of 200 seemed a lot more daunting. Then experienced Virat Kohli and culm KL Rahul help the team to take their opening World Cup 2023 by a comfortable margin. They made a 165 runs partnership. Though Virat Kohli got out after scoring 85 runs in 116 balls, KL Rahul finishes off the chase with a maximum. He remains unbeaten on 97and won the Player of the Match award. India beat Australia by six wickets to begin their ICC World Cup campaign on a positive note.