Bangalore, Sept 29:
The first one day international between India and Australia was called of due to rain as umpires failed to take any decision before the cut off time at M. Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore. Explaining the scenario umpire Shastri said, “ the ground still is wet and it was not possible for us to take any decision before the cut off time.”
The fifty thousand strong crowds waited till the umpires took the final call much to their disappointment. The two teams now move to Kochi where the second one-day international is scheduled on October 2.
Rain poured in heavily, much to the disappointment of over fifty thousands fan who gathered to see the India Australia first one day international at Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore. Earlier Clarke displaying a great batting performance smashed his way to 130 runs, which helped Australia to post a total of 307 runs. India beginning the chase were shaken when Tendulkar departed without even opening his account.
India, replying to Australia`s 307 for seven, were nine for one in 2.4 overs when showers halted the day-night game. Although the rain stopped, a wet outfield forced the match to be called off by the umpires after a three-hour wait.
Starting the chase under floodlights India played the first over without scoring. Rain stopped the proceedings in the third over. India could manage just 9 runs losing the vital wicket of Sachin Tendulkar.
Gambhir and Tendulkar started the Indian run chase amidst rain showers in Bangalore. Tendulkar was caught plumb leg before wicket when a Mitchell Johnson delivery came back in after pitching in line of off stump.
Earlier, taking a leaf out of Ricky Ponting’s book Clarke batted with maturity and aggression. Leading the recovery Clarke started his innings with running hard for singles and twos, only switching to fours and sixes after Australia had a century partnership.
James Hopes departed in the last over scoring 37 runs. Michael Clarke was run out on the last ball of innings trying to sneak a single after scoring 130 runs. Sreesanth was the top bowler for India claiming three wickets.
An inspired innings by Michael Clarke saw Indian fielders hunting for leather in the packed Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore. Clarke used his feet cleverly against Powar and completed his century with a six. Clarke smashed two sixes in Romesh Powar’s 43rd over. Australia lost its fifth wicket in the 42nd over when Haddin tried to slog a Yuvraj Singh delivery.
Meanwhile Michael Clarke continued his good work with the bat as he batted on defiant 70 runs with Australian total reading 190 runs. Haddin and Clarke compiled a 100 runs partnership.
Showing patience and skill Bradd Haddin and Mathew Clarke defied India an upper hand in the game by putting a defiant stand. Clarke completed his 50 runs in 68 balls. Haddin scored 36 runs of 51 balls he faced. Australia managed to score 156 runs after 30 overs.
Sreesanth was on a roll against Australia as he struck again to dismiss Andrew Symonds. Sreesanth bowled a slow delivery, which went to hit Symonds’ pads. Sreesanth took his
third wicket as Australia lost their fourth wicket.
Australia lost another wicket as Sreesanth dismissed Matthew Hayden. Sreesanth breached Matthew Hayden defence yet again to bowl him. Matthew Hayden, the precious player, departed by scoring 34 runs from 39 balls. India were on the riding seat as Australia lost their third wicket below 15 overs.
Earlier, Australia somewhat recovered from the early setback as opener Matthew Hayden and Michael Clarke stabilised Australian innings. Both Hayden and Clarke batted intelligently to rot Indian bowling attack. After 10 overs, Australia were at a comfortable score of 56 runs for the loss of 2 wickets.
Getting nervy at the other end, Sreesanth too was then thinking of taking another wicket. And right in the next over, Sreesanth chipped in another wicket when he dismissed Brad Hodge. Hodge was declared out LBW and departed on duck.
Australian skipper Adam Gilchrist earlier won the toss and elected to bat first against India. Indian captain Mahendra Dhoni said that he would have liked to bat first but he said that the bowlers have done a good job in the past and they will continue to do so.
The off-field mindgames have set the tone for an enthralling seven-match series which will be a test of character for India`s new captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Australia is still smarting from the 15-run semifinal defeat to India in the Twenty20 World Cup and they have revenge on their mind was made obvious by skipper Ricky Ponting, who challenged the hosts to do an encore in the series.
Ponting also sparked off a debate by claiming that only his side could be called world champion as it had the ODI and Test title to its credit.
The outspoken Aussie`s comments did not go down too well with the Indian camp and flamboyant pacer S Sreesanth and Robin Uthappa reacted sharply to Ponting`s assertions.
Brimming with confidence and on a high after the grand reception they received from adoring fans for their Twenty20 triumph, the Indians would be aiming to carry the momentum and take the early advantage.
A sold-out crowd of 55,000 would make sure that Dhoni`s young side gets deafening support at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium as they look to continue their dream run.
The 32-year-old Australian has already stated that his side was not too worried about the trio`s return as it knew the strengths and weaknesses of the senior threesome.
Vice-captain Adam Gilchrist, who lead the side in Ponting`s absence, acknowledged that the men in blue were brilliant in their Twenty20 campaign but was quick to add that 50-over was a different ball-game altogether.
The stumper said while the Aussies were old hands in dealing with the pressures of being world champions, the Indians would find it hard to live up to the heightened expectations of a passionate home crowd.
"India is number one in the Twenty20 format, there is no denying that. The expectation that comes with that is pretty immense," he said.
Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, on the other hand, was his usual calm self even in the face of some tough talking by the visitors.
The 26-year-old Jharkhand player, whose leadership qualities have been praised by one and all, refrained from making any tall claims and only said that his young brigade was excited to take on the Australians at home.
The "captain cool" will, however, feel the heat as he tries to build on a successful Twenty20 campaign and prove himself in the 50-over format as well.
Curator Narayan Raju has promised a "lively" pitch and both the sides have the attack to exploit the conditions.
While India would once again be banking on Zaheer Khan and Sreesanth to wreck the Aussie line-up with the new ball, the visitors would be hoping that pace spearhead Brett Lee comes out all guns blazing after a mediocre Twenty20 World Cup.
Irfan Pathan, who returns to the Indian fold after more than six months in oblivion, and R P Singh add zing to the attack after their exceptional show during the Twenty20 World Cup.
Australia, in contrast, would be struggling a bit in the absence of Shane Watson. The all-rounder had to pull out due to yet another injury breakdown, which has limited the bowling options for the visiting side.
On the batting front, both sides seem to be evenly matched but the Australians looked vulnerable in the Twenty20 World Cup with their middle-order mainstay Michael Clarke being woefully out of form.
Teams (from):
India: MS Dhoni (C), Rahul Dravid, Gautam Gambhir, Sourav Ganguly, Harbhajan Singh, Dinesh Kaarthick, Zaheer Khan, Irfan Pathan, Rohit Sharma, Ramesh Powar, Rudra Pratap Singh, S Sreesanth, Sachin Tendulkar, Robin Uthappa, Yuvraj Singh.
Australia: Adam Gilchrist(C), Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Matthew Hayden, Ben Hilfenhaus, Brad Hodge, Brad Hogg, James Hopes, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Andrew Symonds, Adam Voges, Michael Hussey.
Bureau Report
