In a thrilling World Cup encounter on Sunday, Virat Kohli showcased his champion's spirit, guiding the Indian cricket team to a sensational six-wicket victory over the formidable Australian side. Kohli's masterly 85 runs played a pivotal role in India's triumph, providing a solid foundation for the chase of a 200-run target, which initially seemed daunting.
Kohli found an able partner in the cool and composed KL Rahul, who remained unbeaten at 97 runs off 115 balls. Their remarkable partnership of 165 runs made the challenging pitch appear like a walk in the park, even though it took them 41.2 overs to achieve the target. This remarkable recovery came after three Indian top-order batsmen returned to the pavilion without contributing to the score.
India's spinners also deserve immense credit for their pivotal role in securing the two points. Ravindra Jadeja led the spin attack with figures of 3/28 in 10 overs, while Ravichandran Ashwin (2/34 in 10 overs) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/42 in 10 overs) made life difficult for the Australian batsmen, bowling them out for 199 runs in 49.3 overs.
However, the early moments of the match were tense for India as Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood struck early, sending Ishan Kishan, Rohit Sharma, and Shreyas Iyer back to the pavilion without scoring a run, leaving India at 2/3.
It was then that Virat Kohli, the audacious and beloved leader, decided to fight back. He displayed his class with a graceful drive past Hazlewood, a shot worth its weight in gold. Kohli adapted to the pitch conditions by slightly advancing his front foot and presenting the full face of the bat, avoiding being caught flat-footed.
A pivotal moment came when Kohli mistimed a pull shot off Hazlewood, but a running Mitchell Marsh failed to secure the catch, giving Kohli a lifeline. This stroke of luck proved to be crucial for India's fortunes.
Kohli and Rahul then focused on rebuilding the innings with singles and twos. Kohli's 61 runs came primarily through running between the wickets, showcasing his exceptional fitness. He reached his half-century off 75 balls, hitting boundaries sparingly. When he finally unleashed his boundaries, it was with finesse and confidence.
Even after surviving a blow to the helmet, Kohli continued to display unwavering determination. Just as he seemed poised to reach his 48th ODI century, a pull shot off Hazlewood found Marnus Labuschagne.
KL Rahul's contribution to the victory cannot be understated. Rahul, often criticized for missed opportunities, proved his worth on this occasion. He countered Adam Zampa's spin with precision, matching Kohli's strokeplay.
Having kept wickets for 50 overs, Rahul then batted for another 41.2 overs, demonstrating his readiness for any challenge. He struck eight boundaries and two sixes, with the final six sealing the victory.
In the bowling department, Ravindra Jadeja emerged as the nemesis of the Australian batsmen on the challenging Chepauk track. His experience with Chennai Super Kings on this surface paid dividends, as he claimed 3 for 28 in 10 overs. His mastery over the pitch's slow nature and subtle variations left Australia struggling.
Jadeja's quick dismissals of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne proved pivotal. It marked the 10th time he had dismissed Smith across different formats, demonstrating his knack for outsmarting the Australian batsman.
In the end, it was a memorable start for India in the World Cup, with Kohli and Rahul's heroics and Jadeja's brilliance with the ball shining brightly in the spotlight. The Indian cricket team, and its fans, had every reason to celebrate this stunning victory.