Rashik Tajwar
The two times world champion tamed the five times champion with ease. India did everything so perfectly right from winning the toss, and choosing to bat to setting up a mammoth total of 352 in a used pitch at the Oval.
Australia were on the backfoot throughout the game and India never really gave Australia a negligible chance to comeback in the match with their aggression and world-class fielding.
After winning the toss, and choosing to bat, the two Indian openers just gave them the start they wanted. Eventually Rohit Sharma falls after making a half-century, but Shikhar Dhawan played magnificently to score a match-winning century which later earned him the Player of the Match.
Kohli too played aggressively, scored 82 of 77, but the innings that gave India's innings life is the innings of Hardik Pandya. His quick 48 of 27, and Dhoni's 27 of 14 helped India go past 350.
Australia never really looked like they are going to chase the total. Things got worse when Finch and Warner's miscommunication resulting a run-out for India which gave them their first blow.
The run chase was not the sort of chase Australia would have liked to. This is the first time since 1999, Australia failed to chase down a target in the ICC World Cup. And this loss means Australia’s unbeaten streak of 10-match is now a history.
India will be much relax now. Two easy wins to start the campaign - that too against South africa and Australia - will boost their confidence for the upcoming fixtures, and ambience of the camp will be very positive.
Well its too early to predict, but if things go on as it, looks like India are sure-shot semi-finalist whose next match is against the kiwis on 13th June.
