India's Mammoth Total Proves Too Steep For Australia

Dhawan’s hundred and Kohli’s 82 set up a 36-run win for the Men in Blue, making it two out of two

- K.C. Vijaya Kumar

At lunch, the Indian fans were belting out the old number “we will, we will rock you”. And beyond the ropes, Sunil Gavaskar, here as a commentator, jived and exhorted the crowd to maintain the tempo. It was that kind of a joyous day as Virat Kohli’s men defeated Australia by 36 runs in a key ICC World Cup clash at the Oval.

Chasing India’s 352 for five that featured Shikhar Dhawan’s 117, Aaron Finch’s men replied with 316.

Cautious pursuit

The pursuit commenced cautiously as David Warner (56) and Aaron Finch were circumspect against Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah. The latter was unlucky as he had Warner hopping but the awkward fend and the resultant inner-edge just rolled into the stumps without dislodging the bails! Just as the runs dried, Finch cut loose in a Hardik Pandya over that yielded 19. The Australian skipper, though, failed to beat a throw from Kedar Jadhav.

Placed at 61 for one, Australia’s hopes rested on Warner and Steve Smith (69). Kohli swapped his bowlers, used Bumrah in short bursts and kept the runs under check. Smith struck Kedar Jadhav for a six but India was happy with its economy rate. The almost run-a-ball 72 partnership between Smith and Warner for the second wicket, however, couldn’t kick off on to a higher plane.

Warner succumbed to legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal, but Smith soldiered on. With Usman Khawaja slamming a six and four off Kuldeep Yadav, the Aussies hinted that they were still alive. Kohli immediately employed Bumrah, who knocked down Khawaja’s stumps.