Chennai October 09 2023 : Virat Kohli inspired India’s recovery from 3-2 in its reply to Australia’s below-par 199 to secure a six-wicket win for the host nation in its opening match at the Cricket World Cup.
However, Kohli’s innings could’ve been over early after Mitchell Marsh dropped him on 12, which Australian captain Pat Cummins described as “not ideal” post-game.
Kohli hit 85 off 116 balls and delivered a calmly constructed fourth-wicket stand of 165 with KL Rahul (97 not out) as India reached 4-201 with 52 balls to spare in front of a passionate home crowd in Chennai.
“There was a turning point, there can be only one turning point and this came very early,” Indian legend Ravi Shastri said in commentary.
“Score on 20, Mitchell Marsh not getting his fingers anywhere near the ball, I think distracted with Alex Carey coming in towards him and it turned out to be a real costly miss from Australia’s point of view.”
Watch every Australian Cricket World Cup match and other headline games live and free on Channel Nine and 9Now.
Kohli and Rahul weren’t fazed by it, though, rescuing India’s innings.
After winning the toss, Australia — a five-time world champion — slumped after being 1-74 in the 17th over. Steve Smith was the top scorer with 46.
t 2-110, the Aussies lost 5-30 due to Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav’s magic with the ball.
Mitchell Starc added 28 valuable lower-order runs to help Australia reach 199, but in the end it made little difference.
Watch every Australian Cricket World Cup match and other headline games live and free on Channel Nine and 9Now.
Post-game, Cummins joked about Marsh’s dropped catch but admitted dropping a player of Kohli’s calibre wasn’t a good result.
“I’ve already forgotten about it,” he laughed.
“Not ideal, especially someone of his calibre, it happens, 4-10 would’ve been a dream start, but not to be.”
