India registered a five-wicket comfortable win against Australia in the first ODI of the three-match series. The Kangaroos, batting first, tumbled for 276 runs in 50 overs. Meanwhile, the Men in Blue chased down the target in 48.4 overs, with Mohammed Shami emerging as the player of the match for his five-wicket haul.
India were without marquee players, and KL Rahul led the side in Rohit Sharma’s absence. Fans hailed KL’s leadership skills on social media and praised him for rotating his bowlers well. Meanwhile, the 31-year-old also scripted a special feat as a captain which MS Dhoni or Virat Kohli could not achieve when they led India.
It was India’s first win against Australia at the PCA Stadium in Mohali since 1996. The last time the Men in Blue won at Mohali was under Sachin Tendulkar’s captaincy when India beat Australia by 5 runs on November 3, 1996.
Since then, Australia have won 6 of the seven games they have played at the PCA Stadium in Mohali. Even MS Dhoni or Virat Kohli failed to beat the Men in Yellow at Mohali. However, with the latest win over Australia, India became the first team in Asia to become world No.1 in all formats at the same time.