India vs Australia | Partnership between Kedar Jadhav and MS Dhoni was outstanding, says Virat Kohli
After beating Australia in the first game of the ODI series, Virat Kohli has said that the unbeaten fifth-wicket partnership between Kedar Jadhav and MS Dhoni was outstanding. The India skipper also stated that he was surprised to see the way the pitch favoured the bowlers under the lights.
After getting beaten in the T20Is, Virat Kohli and Co. made a solid start in the ODIs by beating the Aussies by six wickets in Hyderabad. India chased down the target of 237 in 48.2 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series and Jadhav (81) and Dhoni (59)played an important role in the run-chase. India were four wickets down with only 99 runs on the board, however, the pair added an unbeaten 141 runs for the fifth wicket to chase the total down.Â
Kohli praised the duo for their sensible batting in the middle-overs that helped India win the game and go up in the series.
“You have experience with MS and flair with Kedar who is also experienced now. That p'ship was outstanding and it was more or less a complete performance. That set the platform. The way Kedar and MS took responsibility, it was great to see,” Kohli said during the presentation ceremony, reported Cricbuzz.
The Indian bowlers were also very effective in the first ODI with Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav putting up a good show to restrict the Aussies to 236. Kohli said that he was surprised to see the pitch helping the bowlers in the evening under the lights but while India bowled, there were not much for the bowlers. Shami ended up with figures of 2/44 while Kuldeep and Bumrah also claimed two wickets each. Jadeja had an economical spell conceding just 33 runs in his 10 overs.
“We did a good job with the ball. The wicket didn't offer as much as it did under the lights, which was surprising. Ten overs for less than 35 is brilliant on this pitch (On Jadeja). He set his fields, it was great to see,” the Indian captain explained.
“Kuldeep's been doing it for a while. The way Shami has come back into the white-ball set-up after his Test performances, have never seen him so lean before. He has lost 5-6 kgs. He's running in and bowling so well. The lines and length he's bowling; got Maxi on 40-odd out with a beautiful ball. He has wicket-taking ability and he's hungry for wickets. Heading into the WC, it's a great sign for team India. If he can stay hungry like this and look for wickets and he has the ability to back it up with Bumrah and Kuldeep, it's gonna be great to stand in the field and watch.”
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