For Australia, James Faulkner was the pick of the bowlers, picking up 2 wickets for 60 runs off 10 overs. The hosts chased it down easily to win by five wickets. However, India have had two warm-up matches to adapt to the conditions and all the batsmen have been among the runs. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma shared 207 run second wicket partnership which was broken when Kohli got out after scoring 91.
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However, a decisive third-wicket partnership of 242 only came after a glove down the leg side from Bailey, off India debutant Barinder Sran, went unnoticed.
If India were nervous ahead of the first ODI of an important series down under, they certainly didn’t show it, as the men in blue posted a target of 309 for Australia to chase.
The 28-year-old said India needed to lift their fielding standards if they were to compete with Australia on their own turf. Despite India’s loss yesterdays, Indian fans still had a reason to be happy as they were treated by an awesome batting display by Rohit “The Hitman” Sharma.
“They don’t get to see heaps of games and historically I don’t think I’ve probably scored many in the games they have, so that was very pleasing”, Bailey said.
While Australia were 21 for two in the fifth over, things could have taken a different turn as Bailey looked to have gloved the first delivery he faced bowled by Sran. Rohit is just six runs away from half-century.
Kohli was eventually dismissed in the 45th over when he hoicked James Faulkner to Aaron Finch at long-on. Bailey reached his third ODI ton off 106 balls and Smith brought up his fifth ODI century off just 97 balls to complete the 200-run stand off 197 balls.
On the other hand, Joel Paris and Scott Boland made their debuts for Australia. The Tamil Nadu tweaker, who had a lot of success on the designer tracks at home, was hit for six boundaries and two sixes in his first six overs.
Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and made a decision to bat in the opening game of the five-match One-Day International (ODI) series at the WACA Ground here on Tuesday.
After Kphli’s departure, skipper MS Dhoni played a brief cameo of 18 runs off 13 balls, hitting a four and a six in his innings. Virat Kohli dispatched Paris for couple of boundaries to ensure, India continue their momentum.India 52/1 after 10 overs.
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The visiting team will need to win at least a game in the series to retain their current second position in the ICC ODI Team Championships.
