ICC World Cup 2023: India beat Australia by six wickets to win opener

ICC World Cup 2023: Ravindra Jadeja's spin mastery brought Australia down to their knees before Virat Kohli and KL Rahul struck fifties to put India's chase back on track to beat Australia by six wickets to begin ICC World Cup 2023 campaign on winning note

Ravindra Jadeja's spin mastery brought Australia down to their knees before Virat Kohli and KL Rahul struck fifties to put India's chase back on track to defeat Australia by six wickets to begin their ICC World Cup 2023 campaign on a winning note at the M.A. Chidambaram stadium in Chennai.

An incredible 97* in the chase when the going got tough 👏👏

KL Rahul receives the Player of the Match award as #TeamIndia start #CWC23 with a 6-wicket win 👌👌

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/ToKaGif9ri#CWC23 | #INDvAUS | #TeamIndia | #MeninBlue pic.twitter.com/rY7RfHM1Bf

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 8, 2023

Half-centuries from Kohli and Rahul powered India's chase of 200 after the home team lost three wickets with just two runs on the board. Thanks to Kohli and Rahul's 165-run partnership for the fourth wicket, India completed the task in 41.2 overs.

Earlier, India bowled out Australia for 199 following a disciplined effort with the ball.

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Captain Pat Cummins opted to bat first after winning the toss but things didn't go as planned for the visitors, who were reeling at 119 for five in the 30th over.

Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja (3/38) did the bulk of the damage with his middle over blows.

Steven Smith top-scored for the Aussies with 46 off 71 balls, while David Warner made 41 from 52 balls.

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Brief scores:

Australia: 199 all out in 49.3 overs (Steven Smith 46, David Warner 41; Ravindra Jadeja 3/38, Kuldeep Yadav 2/42, Jasprit Bumrah 2/35).

India: 201/4 in 41.2 overs (Virat Kohli 85, KL Rahul 97 not out; Josh Hazlewood 3/38). 

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