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1st T20I: India restricted to 126/7 after 20 overs

WION Web Team
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, IndiaUpdated: Feb 24, 2019, 09:31 PM IST
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File photo of MS Dhoni (R) and Virat Kohli. Photograph:(Zee News Network)

Story highlights

Opener KL Rahul top-scored for the side and reached his brilliant half-century to help India put up a decent total

India were restricted to a mere 126 runs by the Australian bowlers in the first T20International on Sunday.

Opener KL Rahul top-scored for the side and reached his brilliant half-century to put up a decent total. However, he was dismissed Nathan Coulter-Nile for 50. 

His 36-ball inning includes six boundaries and one six.

Meanwhile, Indian wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni failed to score any big runs despite playing 37 balls. he remained not out for 29 which includes just one six.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli and Kl Rahul established a fifty-run partnership to lift India from the early loss of Rohit Sharm, who was dismissed for five runs.  

Things were going strong for India when Kohli was sent back to the pavilion by Adam Zampa for 24 runs which included three sixes. 

The two played some phenomenal shots to help the team recover.

Rohit, who opened with KL Rahul, was dismissed by Jason Behrendorff while trying to hit a cheeky paddle over short fine. Earlier, Australian skipper Aaron Finch won the toss and opted to bowl. 

Speaking after the toss, Finch said, "  It looks like a really nice wicket and I don't think it is going to change much. Hopefully, we can chase down the total. Peter Handscomb will make his debut and he will keep wickets too. It is very exciting for him.We play India all the time these days. Short will open the innings for us."

India, which recently ended a successful tour Down Under, will aim to demolish the team once again on home soil.

Talking about their strategy for today, Indian skipper Virat Kohli said, " We would have wanted to bowl first too. It looks like a good pitch to bat on. We are not concerned about batting first. I was switched off and didn't watch much cricket during my off period." 

"I wanted to get away from everything and refresh myself. I am ready to go now. There are people who might be potential contenders for our World Cup squad and we want to give them more game time."

"KL Rahul will get more game time as he has been out for a while, Shikhar Dhawan has been rested. Umesh Yadav comes in place of Bhuvi. Mayank Markande will play instead of Vijay Shankar."

The seven-match series comprising two T20 Internationals and five ODIs against a struggling Australian side will be India's last international assignment before the mega event starting May 30 in England and Wales.

Teams:
Australia (Playing XI)
:Aaron Finch(c), D Arcy Short, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Peter Handscomb(w), Ashton Turner, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Jhye Richardson, Jason Behrendorff, Adam Zampa

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, Lokesh Rahul, Virat Kohli(c), Rishabh Pant, MS Dhoni(w), Dinesh Karthik, Krunal Pandya, Umesh Yadav, Mayank Markande, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah