CWC 2019: IND vs AUS Review: All-round India end Aussie winning streak

That ecstatic Virat Kohli celebration after Australia were bundled out on the final ball said it all. On a bright and sunny day at the Kennington Oval painted in blue, Team India did what it had always dreamed of doing. Shikhar Dhawan’s terrific hundred followed by an inspiring bowling performance ensured India finally had their 2003 World Cup final revenge against Australia. When you beat a team like Australia in a World Cup fixture, old records will be broken and new ones will be made. With a comprehensive 36-run victory, the Men in Blue have now ended Australia’s 10-match winning streak in ODI cricket. They’ve also lost a World Cup chase for the first time since the 1999 match against Pakistan at Leeds.

Dhawan + ICC tournaments = a match made in heaven 

Everyone knew it was coming. On a pitch that was devoid of swing and offered plenty to the batsmen, Shikhar Dhawan feasted left, right and centre. His 17th ODI hundred was also his 6th in an ICC event and third in a World Cup. His partner Rohit Sharma also got to his 42nd half-century, along with skipper Kohli who scored his 50th.

India made a cautious but steady start to their batting. Their first wicket didn’t fall until the 23rd over when they had already crossed the 100-run mark. And when they were two down in the 37th over, Hardik Pandya walked out at No.4. It was a move that paid off, with Pandya (48 of 27) almost scoring the fastest World Cup fifty for India. Later, MS Dhoni and KL Rahul’s finishing touches took India to 352 – the highest team total conceded by Australia in a World Cup clash.

The Aussie crumble

Australia were listless with the ball, to say the least. Their pacers barely troubled the Indian batsmen and their only full-time spinner went for 8/over. Mitchell Starc, their hero from the last game, conceded 74 runs for one wicket. India scored just 41 runs in the first powerplay, and the Aussies could do nothing to stop them from crossing 300.

With the bat, this was one of Australia’s most sluggish starts. David Warner scored his slowest ODI fifty and returned with an 84-ball 56. Aaron Finch departed to a rather unfortunate run-out after doing all the hard work. The in-form Steve Smith (69) hung around, stitching a decent partnership with Usman Khawaja (42). Glenn Maxwell and Alex Carey’s fiery knocks kept Australia in the hunt, but to no avail.

Pacers’ day out

Even on a rare off day, Jasprit Bumrah finished with figures of 3-61. But, it was the double blow from Bhuvneshwar Kumar that turned the match on its head. The pacer got rid of a well-set Smith and Marcus Stoinis in the same over. With Maxwell in the groove and Carey in red-hot form, Australia still had a shot. That’s when Yuzvendra Chahal came to the party to get his bunny. After dismissing the dangerous Warner, Chahal got rid of Maxwell as the latter attempted to slog-sweep. Australia lost 3 wickets in 7 balls. Bumrah-Bhuvi then returned to clean up the tail, leaving Carey stranded after having scored the fastest fifty of the tournament.

Virat Kohli wins hearts

There isn’t a more competitive guy in world cricket than Virat Kohli. His gung-ho, aggressive attitude doesn’t bode well with many, but the man has a heart of gold. And it is why he has the craziest following in Indian cricket at the moment. So, when Virat Kohli tells you to stop booing a player and cheer for him instead, you do it without a blink. Enough said.

With India fans giving Steve Smith a tough time fielding in the deep, @imVkohli suggested they applaud the Australian instead.

Absolute class ? #SpiritOfCricket #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/mmkLoedxjr

— ICC (@ICC) June 9, 2019