India beat Australia by 26 runs (DLS method) in the first one-day international in Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium to take 1-0 lead in five-match series. A win which Virat Kohli will be happy with! Shortened targets are often favourable to the chasing sides but on this occasion, it's a different tale. India were always on the money by picking up regular wickets upfront. Once the visitors lost Smith and Head early, they were on the back foot. Warner's dismissal soon probably sealed it for them in the mind. Maxwell did give them some hope by belting the Indian spinners all over the park, but once he was gone, their chances looked grim.
Earlier, India were rescued from a precarious start thanks to a wonderful knock by MS Dhoni. Hardik Pandya gave him good company for a while before teeing off later. The Australians couldn't really recover from that and the rains added to their plight, as they had to wait for their turn to bat. They also had to get out on the ground and go back almost immediately. It was a win which would please the home team's management. (SCORECARD)
HIGHLIGHTS, INDIA VS AUSTRALIA, 1ST ODI at CHENNAI
22.14 IST: THAT'S IT! INDIA WIN THE GAME BY 26 RUNS (DLS Method). Fires a yorker just in line of the stumps, Zampa squeezes it out towards short fine leg for a single.
22.10 IST: NOT OUT! Length delivery outside off, Faulkner swings his bat across. Gets an outside edge to it and the ball lobs towards MS Dhoni. The keeper dives forward and gobbles it but none of him or the umpire is not sure if he has caught it. The umpires go upstairs to check it. Replays show that it went on a bounce into Dhoni's gloves.
22.07 IST: Excellent over from Bhuvi. Just 5 runs off it and a wicket. AUS 130/9 in 20 overs
22.04 IST: OUT! Bhuvneshwar removes Coulter-Nile for 2. Another one bites the dust! Good length delivery around off, Coulter-Nile stays deep in his crease and swipes across the line. The ball flies straight towards Kedar Jadhav at deep mid-wicket who pouches it safely. He celebrates it with Rohit Sharma in the deep and India are sensing victory here. The hosts need a wicket here to win. AUS 127/9 in 19.2 overs
22.02 IST: 7 runs from the over, a decent one for Australia but this is not going to help their cause. AUS 125/8 in 19 overs
21.58 IST: FOUR! Edgy stuff! Bumrah spears this on a length outside off, Faulkner slashes at that. Gets a thick edge through where a slip would have been. Races away to the fence for a boundary. AUS 122/8 in 18.1 overs
21.56 IST: SIX! Bang goes James! Chahal tosses this up outside off, Faulkner gets down on one knee and bashes it over the bowler's end for a maximum! IND 115/8 in 17.2 overs
21.55 IST: OUT! Chahal removes Cummins for 9. He is spinning the Aussies doom! He tosses this around off, Cummins looks to go over mid-wicket, ends up getting the top edge that flies straight to short third man. Bumrah there settles under it and pouches that safely. Australia slip further! The end is nigh! AUS 109/8 in 17.1 overs, need 55 runs to win
21.53 IST: AUS 109/7 in 17 overs
21.51 IST: FOUR! Short delivery and gets the punishment! Bangs it around off, Cummins camps back and smashes that over the mid-wicket region for a boundary. AUS 106/7 in 16.3 overs
21.48 IST: 6 runs and a wicket from Chahal's over. AUS 97/7 in 16 overs
Pat Cummins comes into bat.
21.45 IST: OUT! Chahal gets his man, Mathew Wade is gone for 9. An India game is incomplete without an MS Dhoni stumping! Chahal bowls a loopy wrong 'un wide outside off, Wade charges down to hit that but doesn't read the delivery. Dhoni collects it and whips the bails off in a flash. The third umpire is referred to. Replays show that Wade is short of the crease. Wide signaled by the umpire. AUS 92/7 in 15.3 overs
21.43 IST: Dropped! Chahal floats it outside off, Faulkner looks to slog sweep that. Ends up getting a top edge to the left of the bowler. Yuzvendra gets there but fails to catch that. The ball goes towards deep covers and the batsmen run one. Will this prove costly? AUS 92/6 in 15.2 overs
21.42 IST: Back of a length slower delivery around leg, Wade looks to hoick it over mid-wicket. Is early into the shot and ends up getting hit on the chin. The ball rolls next to the stumps after that, 7 runs from the over. AUS 91/6 in 15 overs
HARDIK PANDYA is brought back for another spell.
21.37 IST: FOUR! Good shot! Wade steps out of his crease, takes it on the full and brooms it away through mid-wicket. AUS 84/6 in 14 overs
21.34 IST: Two runs and a wicket from Kuldeep's over, a successful one for India. AUS 78/6 in 13 overs
21.32 IST: JAMES FAULKNER walks in at the fall of the 6th wicket!
21.31 IST: OUT! Kuldeep Yadav strikes! Floats this one in the line of the stumps, Stoinis shuffles way across and finds himself in an uncomfortable position. Still goes for the slog sweep and ends up ballooning it towards the deep mid-wicket region. Jadeja the substitute fielder gets underneath it and takes a fine catch. Stoinis' struggle in the middle comes to an end. AUS 76/6 in 12.3 overs
Matthew Wade is the next man in.
21.28 IST: OUT! Chahal takes a really big wicket here! Totally against the play of the game this time! Floats this around off, Maxwell gets under it and smacks that straight towards the fielder at long on. Pandey settles himself under it and takes it safely. A brilliant innings from Maxwell comes to an end and Kuldeep Yadav will be the happiest man on the ground. AUS 76/5 in 12 overs, need 88 runs to win
21.26 IST: NOT OUT! Full toss in line of the stumps, Maxwell kneels down and goes for the sweep. Goes straight to Sharma and he appeals for a catch. The umpires go upstairs. Replays show that it went on a bounce to him. AUS 70/4 in 11.2 overs
21.25 IST: Rohit Sharma is claiming a catch. The umpires talk a bit and go upstairs. The soft signal is not out.
21.22 IST: SIX! Three in a row! Brutal Maxi at his best! A bit short this time from Kuldeep and Maxwell is ready for the pull. He kneels down a touch and smashes that over the square leg region for a maximum. AUS 69/4 in 11 overs
21.21 IST: SIX! Maxwell is doing to Kuldeep what Pandya did to Zampa! Another biggie and Maxi is on a loop. Fuller around off, Glenn gets under it and smacks that straight down the ground for half a dozen. AUS 63/4 in 10.4 overs
21.21 IST: SIX! That's the Maxwell we know! Tossed up around middle and off, Glenn gets under it and slog sweeps it over the mid-wicket region for a biggie. AUS 57/4 in 10.3 overs
21.20 IST: FOUR! 50 comes up for Australia. Freebies! Short and wide down the leg side, Maxwell is never going to miss out on those. He just stays back and pulls it over short fine leg for a boundary. AUS 51/4 in 10.2 overs
21.18 IST: Tidy first over from Chahal, just two runs from it. AUS 47/4 in 10 overs
21.16 IST: Safe! That was pretty close and that has to be the case when Dhoni appeals! Floats it outside off, sharp away turn undoes Stoinis who tries to defend it. Gets beaten and MS behind the stumps is quick to dislodge the bails. The umpire goes upstairs to check it. Replays show that Stoinis had his foot just back in time.
21.15 IST: MS Dhoni is quick to dislodge the bails and appeal. The umpire has gone upstairs to check for a stumping appeal against Marcus Stoinis! AUS 45/4 in 9.2 overs
21.14 IST: Yuzvendra Chahal is called into the attack.
21.13 IST: FOUR! Length delivery angling into the stumps, Maxwell is done with his leaves. Swipes hard at it and gets it through the mid-wicket region for another boundary. AUS 45/4 in 9 overs
21.11 IST: FOUR! Shot, Maxi! Short delivery outside off, Maxwell stays in his crease. Waits for it and slaps it just over the backward point fielder for a boundary. AUS 41/4 in 8.4 overs
MARCUS STOINIS is the next man in. Needs to play a knock like he played against New Zealand.
21.08 IST: OUT! Kuldeep removes Warner for 25. AUS 35/4 in 8 overs, need 129 runs to win
21.06 IST: Good fielding by Chahal there! Yadav loops it around off and middle, Warner gets down and sweeps it through backward square leg. Chahal rushes to his left from deep square leg, puts in the dive and parries the ball to Kumar. They end up saving a couple of runs for the side. AUS 35/3 in 7.2 overs
21.03 IST: The big-hitting GLENN MAXWELL is the next man in.
21.02 IST: OUT! Pandya on a roll! Gets his second, with another knuckleball! He bowls it on a length outside off, Head stays in the crease and looks to play it through the off side. Ends up nicking that to the keeper, Dhoni is more than happy to pouch that. Hardik raises his arms in celebration. So the pair that bailed India with the bat combine for this dismissal. Australia three down early in the piece! AUS 29/3 in 6.4 overs
20.58 IST: Good start from Kuldeep, 5 runs from the over. AUS 25/2 in 6 overs
Kuldeep Yadav is brought into the attack.
20.56 IST: Travis Head walks out to the middle.
20.55 IST: OUT! Pandya removes the big fish, Australian captain goes back for 1. Smith departs! Chepauk erupts! So the previous half-life not really proving to be costly. Pandya bowls a knuckle ball on a length around middle, Steven is early into the shot as he looks to pull it. Ends up getting a top edge that flies towards fine leg. Bumrah runs back from short fine leg and pouches it safely. India get two quick ones! AUS 20/2 in 5 overs, need 144 runs to win.
20.53 IST: NOT OUT! Smith survives, India lose their review! Pandya spears it on a length around off, Smith looks to flick but wears it on the pads. Indians appeal to no avail. Hardik persuades his skipper to go for the review which Kohli does. AUS 20/1 in 4.5 overs
Hardik Pandya is brought into the attack. Can he repeat his heroic performance with the ball as well?
Powerplay 2 has been signalled. Now a maximum of four fielders are allowed outside the circle.
20.49 IST: Aaah! Beaten! Bumrah bowls it on a length outside off, Smith goes for the cut but finds the ball pass just over the edge of the bat. Excellent delivery that. AUS 15/1 in 4 overs
20.47 IST: Steven Smith strides out to bat.
20.46 IST: OUT! Bowled him! Cartwright's stay at the crease comes to an end. Bumrah bowls a back of a length ball around off, Hilton looks to pull instinctively. The ball doesn't rise as much as he expected and he ends up getting his woodwork disturbed. Chepauk cheers loudly and why not! AUS 15/1 in 3.5 overs, need 149 runs to win.
20.42 IST: FOUR! That's bread and butter for Warner! Back of a length ball on the pads, David stands tall and pulls it to backward square leg. The deep square leg fielder rushes to his left, puts in the dive yet is unable to prevent the boundary. AUS 13/0 in 3 overs
20.39 IST: Fine comeback from Bumrah after conceding the boundary on the first ball of the over. 5 runs from the over. AUS 7/0 in 2 overs
20.35 IST: FOUR! David drives! Bumrah runs over the wicket and bowls it full around middle, Warner presents a straight bat and drives it straight down the ground for a boundary. AUS 6/0 in 1.1 overs
Jasprit Bumrah to bowl with the second new ball.
20.34 IST: Good start from Bhuvi, just two runs from the over. AUS 2/0 in 1 over
20.30 IST: The men who matter make their way to the middle. There's still a very slight drizzle there. David Warner and Hilton Cartwright are at the crease. Warner is on strike. Bhuvneshwar Kumar will open the attack for India.
20.25 IST: Update - As per the reports, Australia will have to chase 164 in 21 overs
20.20 IST:
20.00 IST: Rain Update - Covers off again and the groundsmen have put it by the side.
19.35 IST:
19.30 IST: Rain Update - Just over an hour remaining before this game can be called off.
19.23 IST: Oops! It looks like that the rain is back again!
19.20 IST: Revised playing conditions - Australia need 238 runs in 37 overs
18.58 IST:
18.38 IST:
18.32 IST: GOOD NEWS! Covers are being taken off, we will know the restart time soon.
18.06 IST: It's drizzling in Chennai. The super sopers are at work but the resumption of the game will be delayed. Stay tuned for further updates.
17.58 IST:
17.35 IST:
17.28 IST: A dot ball from Faulkner to end the innings! INDIA FINISH ON 281/7 in 50 overs
17.26 IST: FOUR! Bhuvneshwar continues belting runs! Faulkner bowls it full around off, Kumar moves across and laps it over short fine leg for a boundary. That almost went the distance as it bounced just inside the ropes. IND 281/7 in 49.5 overs
17.25 IST: OUT! That's the end of the Dhoni dash! Courtesy a slower delivery from Faulkner. He bowls it around off, Dhoni charges down and looks to hit it out of Chennai. Ends up getting the height but not the distance. Warner at long off, settles under it and pouches that safely. A wonderful knock comes to an end. The whistles in the crowd accompany him back. IND 277/7 in 49.4 overs
17.23 IST: SIX! Monstrous Mahi! Faulkner bowls a slower delivery on a length around off, Dhoni charges down and thumps it over extra covers for a maximum. When he hits, it stays hit! IND 277/6 in 49.2 overs
17.22 IST: FOUR! NO BALL! Streaky runs! Faulkner bowls a short ball around leg, Dhoni looks to pull but gets a top edge that flies over the keeper's head for a boundary. What's worse, it's a no ball for overstepping! IND 271/6 in 49 overs
17.21 IST: Length ball around middle from Cummins, Kumar goes back and guides it to third man. The batsmen run two very quickly. Faulkner from the deep hurls a throw to Wade but he's unable to collect it cleanly. Bhuvneshwar was in though. IND 266/6 in 49 overs
17.17 IST: FOUR! Delicate Dhoni! Faulkner bowls a length ball around off and middle, MS shuffles across and just helps it past the stumps through fine leg for a boundary. That was a lap-pull, if we may so call it! IND 262/6 in 48 overs
17.15 IST: SIX! Dhoni with a maximum off Faulkner! He brings up the fifty-run stand between him and Bhuvneshwar. SIX! Finally a biggie off MS's blade! Faulkner bowls a length ball around off, allowing Dhoni to free his arms. He does so and belts this over covers for a maximum. The Dhoni chants on the ground just gets louder!
17.14 IST: FOUR! Dhoni brings up India's 250 with a boundary off Faulkner. Dhoni is here, folks! Faulkner bowls a short ball around leg, MS swivels and pulls it with great ease towards fine leg. The ball landed just in front of the ropes, as confirmed by the umpire after going upstairs.
17.11 IST: Six runs off the over of Cummins! IND 246/6 in 47 overs
17.04 IST: FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Bhuvneshwar off Coulter-Nile! Streaky one though, they all count! Coulter-Nile spears a yorker around middle and leg, Kumar gets his bat down but inside edges it past the leg stump for a boundary! Replays showed that the bat hit the pads and that's why came down a fraction late. IND 240/6 in 46 overs
17.03 IST: FOUR! Bhuvneshwar rocks back and slaps Coulter-Nile for a boundary towards long on. Bhuvneshwar belts that! Length ball around middle, Bhuvi makes room and smashes it over the bowler's head for a boundary. The unlikely of the two out there is getting boundaries with ease!
17.00 IST: NOT OUT! Not the greatest of reviews by Australia! Stoinis bowls it on a length around off, Kumar looks to glide it to third man. Ends up chopping it onto his pads as the ball rolls towards point. The Aussies appeal for LBW which is turned down. Smith decides to go upstairs. Replays show that the ball is played on to the pads off the bat. So there's no question of LBW. The on-field call stays. IND 228/6 in 46 overs
16.57 IST: FOUR! Bhuvneshwar hits Stoinis for a boundary towards long on. Bhuvi thumps it over mid on! Back of a length delivery around middle and leg, Bhuvneshwar moves away and slaps it over mid on. Warner there didn't stand a chance of catching that. The ball races away to the fence for a boundary.
16.53 IST: FOUR! Dhoni hits Coulter-Nile for a boundary. First boundary for MSD after 66 balls! Coulter-Nile bowls a short ball around middle, Dhoni goes for the pull. Ends up getting a top edge that flies to the fine leg fence. It landed just inside the ropes there. IND 221/6 in 44 overs
16.51 IST: FOUR! Full toss from Zampa, Bhuvneshwar clubs through mid-wicket. IND 213/6 in 43overs
16.48 IST: Just a single from Coulter-Nile's over, a good one for Australia. IND 206/6 in 42 overs
16.44 IST: OUT! Zampa has the last laugh! He's brave enough to toss this one up around off, Pandya looks to go big yet again. Ends up getting a top edge towards short third man where Faulkner makes no mistake. IND 205/6 in 41 overs
16.41 IST: SIX! 200 comes up for India. IND 205/5 in 40.3 overs
16.39 IST: Length ball around off from Stoinis, MS opens the face of the bat and guides it to third man for a run. 12 runs from the over, a good one for India. IND 198/5 in 40 overs
16.37 IST: 77* by Hardik is the highest for an Indian #7 or below against Australia in ODIs
16.35 IST: Hundred run partnership comes up between Pandya and Dhoni. SIX! Ho,ho,ho it's a beauty! Stoinis bowls a slower delivery around off, Pandya uses all his power to hit the ball out of the playing field. The ball travels straight over the bowler for a maximum. IND 192/5 in 39.1 overs
16.33 IST: FOUR! Pandya is pouncing on every opportunity! This time he hits Faulkner to deep mid wicket. IND 186/5 in 39 overs
16.28 IST: FOUR! Now Cummins gets the Pandya treatment! Pat bowls it short around leg, Pandya swivels and pulls. As he does that his bat hits his helmet and then the ball. It races to the fine leg fence for a boundary. IND 178/5 in 38 overs
16.25 IST: SIX! And another one! Powerful Pandya on a roll! He's having Adam's sixes for runs! Zampa loops it up around middle, Hardik just strikes it straight over the bowler's head for another maximum! Seems unstoppable when he goes like this! It's raining sixes here at the MS Chidambaram! And it's your man - Hardik Pandya who is on fire. 24 runs off the over! IND 172/5 in 37 overs
16.24 IST: SIX! Fifty for Pandya off 48 balls. He is playing a screamer here. Zampa floats this one around middle and leg, Pandya uses all his might that's there in the thin body and smashes it over long on for a biggie! The crowd that had gone silent has suddenly come alive!
16.23 IST: SIX! Wallop! This one's out of here! Zampa flights this around middle, Pandya strikes it clean as a whistle for a mighty 90 metre hit. Maximum.
16.22 IST: FOUR! Pandya hits Zampa for a boundary! Almost a masterstroke from Smith there! Zampa floats a low full toss around middle, Pandya smashes it straight past the bowler. Faulkner, who was stationed at straight mid on, leaps but couldn't reach the ball. The ball races away to the fence for a boundary.
16.17 IST: Just three runs from Zampa's over. IND 146/5 in 36 overs
16.14 IST: Another short delivery, Pandya shuffles across and pulls it towards deep square leg for a single. 4 runs from the over. IND 143/5 in 34 overs
16.09 IST: 6 runs from Zampa's over. IND 139/5 in 33 overs
16.08 IST: Fifty-run stand completes between Dhoni and Pandya. IND 137/5 in 32.4 overs
16.03 IST: FOUR BYES! Free gifts! Length delivery outside off, Pandya swings his bat at it but fails to make contact. The ball goes on a bounce to Wade and he makes a mockery of it. Deflects it towards the fine leg fence for a boundary. IND 130/5 in 31.3 overs
Marcus Stoinis is called back for a bowl.
16.01 IST: Tight over from Faulkner, four runs came off it. IND 125/5 in 31 overs
15.57 IST: Fuller delivery outside off, driven towards the fielder at mid-off. 3 runs from Coulter-Nile's over. IND 121/5 in 30 overs
15.55 IST: In the air...safe! Short delivery angling into the batsman, Pandya goes for the pull. Gets beaten by the extra pace but the ball safely in the mid-wicket region. The batsmen run a single. IND 119/5 in 29.2 overs
Time for Drinks!
15.49 IST: Fuller delivery outside off, Dhoni prods forward and defends it. MAIDEN from James Faulkner! IND 118/5 in 29 overs
15.45 IST: Good over for India, 8 runs from it. IND 118/5 in 28 overs
15.43 IST: FOUR! Deft and lucky! Smith is having a nightmare on the field! Not a drop but Smith is capable of catching those! Good length delivery around off, Pandya tries to defend it. Gets an outside edge on it and the ball flies towards the left of the slip fielder. Falls just short of Smith who gets his hand to it on a bounce and the ball races away to the fence. IND 114/5 in 27.2 overs
NATHAN COULTER-NILE is brought back for a bowl.
15.41 IST: 3 runs from Faulkner's over. IND 110/5 in 27 overs
15.37 IST: Stoinis is bowling a brilliant spell here, another tidy over from him. IND 107/5 in 26 overs
15.35 IST: Stonis has dropped his towel just before delivering the ball and Dhoni spots it and stops Marcus.
15.32 IST: Another good over for Australia, just two runs came off Faulkner's over. IND 104/5 in 25 overs
JAMES FAULKNER is called back for a bowl.
15.28 IST: HUNDRED comes up for India! FOUR! Brilliant Pandya! That's great improvement there! Short delivery angling into the batsman, Hardik just stays tall and gets some bat on it. Gets it over the keeper's head for a boundary. IND 102/5 in 24 overs
15.24 IST: Good finish from Zampa, 5 runs from the over. IND 95/5 in 23 overs
15.20 IST: Four runs and a wicket from the over, a good one for Australia. IND 90/5 in 22 overs
HARDIK PANDYA makes his way out to the middle. Has to play sensibly here.
15.16 IST: OUT! Stoinis strikes again for Australia, Kedar Jadhav goes back into the hut. What a waste of a wicket! Just when Kedar Jadhav looked like he was settling in, he ends up throwing it away! Short delivery outside off, Kedar goes for the pull. Goes straight towards the fielder at mid-wicket. Cartwright makes no mistake this time as he pouches it safely. India have lost half their side and Stoinis grabs his second off the day. IND 87/5 in 21.3 overs
15.13 IST: Close shave! Very well bowled by Zampa! Floats this one around off, does not turn much. Jadhav goes to play the slog sweep but only makes contact with thin air. The ball whizzes past the off pole and Wade is unable to collect it. No runs taken. IND 86/4 in 21 overs
15.10 IST: Length ball outside off from Cummins, Jadhav drives it through covers. Stoinis dives and takes pace of the ball, giving only a brace to the batsmen as Warner retrieves the ball. IND 84/4 in 20 overs
15.06 IST: Just three came of Zampa's over, another tidy one from the leggie. IND 80/4 in 19 overs
15.03 IST: Length ball in line of the stumps, Dhoni pushes it back towards the bowler. 6 runs from Cummins over. IND 77/4 in 18 overs
15.00 IST: FOUR! STREAKY JADHAV! Cummins spears this on a length outside off, Kedar glides it wide of the slip fielder for a boundary. Smith must be ruing not having a second slip. IND 76/4 in 17.3 overs
Pat Cummins is back into the attack.
14.58 IST: FOUR! Jadhav punishes that! Zampa fires this short around the middle, Kedar goes back and pulls it over mid-wicket. The ball seems to have hit the ropes on the full. The umpire goes upstairs and after looking at the replays, signals a boundary. IND 71/4 in 17 overs
Huge cheer at Chepauk as the favourite MS DHONI walks in to bat. Remember, India are in some trouble here with the cool talisman striding out to the centre.
14.53 IST: OUT! Stoinis removes Rohit Sharma for 28. The short ball does it for Stoinis and Australia! He bangs this short outside off, Sharma pulls it in the air in front of square on the leg side. Coulter-Nile has ample time to get there from deep mid-wicket, settle under it and hold onto that calmly. Smith will be heaving a sigh of relief as Rohit walks back. The batsman was in no position to pull that! IND 64/4 in 16 overs
14.51 IST: FOUR! Fifty-run stand completed between Rohit and Jadhav. JUST WIDE OF POINT! Length ball outside off, Sharma cuts it aerially over point for a boundary. This brings up the 50-RUN STAND between these two. They need to carry on to take India to safety. IND 64/3 in 15.4 overs
14.49 IST: Good over from Zampa, just two runs from it. IND 59/3 in 15 overs
14.47 IST: Leg-spinner Adam Zampa comes into the attack!
DRINKS are on the field now. It's been an eventful hour of play where both the sides are tussling for advantage. The visitors have been successful in breaking the spine of the top order by picking up three quick wickets. But Sharma and Jadhav have held fort so far. The hosts would love them to continue and get a big score while the away side would be intent on breaking through.
14.43 IST: Good over for India as Stoinis gives away 6 runs. IND 57/3 in 14 overs
14.37 IST: FOUR! Rohit brings up India's fifty with a straight boundary off Faulkner. That's how authoritative that shot is! Faulkner bowls it on a length around off, Sharma just hits it over the bowler's head. The ball races away to the fence for a boundary. IND 51/3 in 13 overs
14.35 IST: FOUR! Jadhav hits Faulkner for a boundary to deep backward point. Classically cut that! Faulkner bowls it on a length outside off, Jadhav stays back and cuts it through backward point. Coulter-Nile rushes to his right from third man, puts in the slide but is unable to prevent the boundary. The timing in that shot was immaculate!
14.30 IST: Marcus Stoinis comes is introduced into the attack.
14.28 IST: Faulkner gives away four runs. IND 38/3 in 11 overs
14.17 IST: FOUR! Rohit plays it square of the wicket for a boundary. Faulkner runs in and bowls it on a length outside off, Sharma just cuts it through point. The ball races away to the boundary. IND 30/3 in 9 overs
14.15 IST: Just a single off Coulter-Nile's over. IND 24/3 in 8 overs
14.04 IST: FOUR! First boundary of the innings from Jadhav. That should do his confidence a world of good! Coulter-Nile bowls it full outside off, Jadhav drives it through point for a boundary. He got it off the middle of the bat. IND 16/3 in 6 overs
14.02 IST: OUT! Coulter-Nile takes third, removes Pandey for a duck. Pandey is a goner! India in some sort of trouble here! Coulter-Nile bowls it very full outside off, Manish looks to drive but the ball moves away slightly. Takes the edge and goes to the keeper. The visitors celebrate but the umpire isn't sure and hence goes upstairs. The third umpire confirms the edge and ends Pandey's stay at the crease. He follows his skipper for a duck! IND 11/3 in 5.3 overs. Kedar Jadhav comes out to bat
13.58 IST: OUT! Coulter-Nile removes Kohli for a duck. If not Rohit, the Aussies get Kohli! For a blob! Coulter-Nile bowls it full outside off, Kohli is tempted to drive and he does. The ball takes the outer half of the bat and goes towards point where Maxwell leaps and takes a one handed blinder. The beauty of the catch was the fact that Glenn kept his balance and didn't fall even after taking the catch. The visitors are ecstatic and why not! They've snapped up the opposition mainstay cheaply! IND 11/2 in 5.1 overs. Manish Pandey walks out to bat
13.55 IST: DROPPED! Rohit Sharma survives! Steven Smith the culprit! Cummins bowled it on a length around off, the opener stays in the crease and looks to guide it to third man. Ends up offering a catch to second slip where the skipper falters. How costly will that prove? IND 11/1 in 5 overs
13.50 IST: OUT! Coulter-Nile removes Rahane for 5. Coulter-Nile strikes! Thankfully for him it wasn't the Free Hit! He spears a full delivery outside off, inviting Rahane to drive. The batsman does so without great footwork. Ends up edging that which is gleefully accepted by Wade. This wicket is the result of some good bowling by the Australians. Ajinkya departs cheaply. IND 11/1 in 3.3 overs. Captain Virat Kohli comes out to bat.
13.46 IST: Rohit Sharma putting in some tapes on his bat. That must be his lucky one for sure. He had a good series against Sri Lanka.
13.44 IST: Cautious start for India. Six runs off the third over. IND 10/0 in 3 overs
13.40 IST: Good over from Coulter-Nile. Just a single off it. IND 4/0 in 2 overs
13.36 IST: Nathan Coulter-Nile to share the new ball with Cummins.
13.35 IST: Three runs off Cummins' first over. IND 3/0 in 1 over
13.30 IST: The men who matter make their way out to the middle. Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane stride out with the bat. Pat Cummins to start the proceedings for Australia.
13.24 IST: The players are out on the field for the National Anthems. Electric atmosphere at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
13.15 IST: Playing XIs
India: Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli (C), Manish Pandey, MS Dhoni (WK), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah
Australia: David Warner, Hilton Cartwright, Steven Smith (C), Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (WK), James Faulkner, Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Zampa
13.10 IST: Captain's Corner
Virat Kohli: We will bat first. Looks like a good wicket to bat, last time we played here, it slowed down a lot. Our spinners should get some turn. Rahane will bat at the top of the order, Manish Pandey will bat at four, Hardik Pandya at seven, we are playing two wrist spinners and two pacers.
Steve Smith: I wasn't sure about the toss thing, looks like a good wicket, will need to bowl well. The four guys missing out are Agar, Finch, Handscomb and Richardson. Cartwright will make his ODI debut. Faulkner is back and so is Coulter-Nile. India is a tough challenge and looking forward to a good game.
13.00 IST: TOSS! India win toss, opt to bat vs Australia
12.30 IST: Despite steamrolling Sri Lanka over three cricket formats 9-0 in their last tour, India will know all too well that Australia would be a different proposition altogether when the two sides renew acquaintances in the first ODI.
India were all over the hapless Sri Lankans in the latter's own den without having to break sweat. Virat Kohli and Co won all the three Test matches, five ODIs and one T20 international to return unblemished.
But in Australia, the hosts will face stiffer competition simply because of the quality of players the visitors posses.
Brief Preview:
On a roll after decimating Sri Lanka, Virat Kohli's Indian team will be aiming for another comprehensive show against a depleted Australia when the two sides square off in the opening encounter of the five-match series in Chennai on Sunday. The Indo-Australia rivalry over the years have been more traditional with the intensity right up there as a lot is always at stake.
Not to forget the passion and frayed tempers, a testimony to that was the Test series that India won 2-1, earlier this year.
A 5-0 win for India, which could be a rare first against Australia, will put them at the top of the ICC World rankings while a 4-1 win for the visitors will help them grab pole position.
For India, facing an Australian side without their top two pacers -- Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood would certainly work to their advantage but at the same time, the likes of Steve Smith, David Warner and Glenn Maxwell are seasoned pros for whom India is like a "second home".
The two teams trained ahead of the match with a focus on fine-tuning things and probably to zero in on the playing XI.
Left-arm spinner Axar Patel suffered an injury scare, spraining his ankle while playing football and it has to be seen if he takes part in this afternoon's practice session.
However, the Aussies are well aware of what threat wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal can pose for them. Accordingly, they summoned mystery spinners KK Jiyas and local lad Murugan Ashwin to prepare for the match.
The two teams are playing an ODI here after a gap of three decades, having last met at the iconic stadium in the opening fixture of the Reliance World Cup, way back in 1987. It was a thrilling encounter that Australia won by 1 run.
The last time the Australians played a bilateral ODI series in India in 2013, the hosts won seven-match series 3-2 with two games were abandoned due to inclement weather. (Read Full Preview Here)
