Mohali, September 20: India’s top order fired in good chunk as the home side posted a healthy total against Australia in the first T20I here at the PCA Stadium on Tuesday (September 20).
KL Rahul (55) and Hardik Pandya (71 not out) made fifties while Suryakumar Yadav made a forceful 46 as India raced to 208 for 5 in 20 overs.
However on a good batting track at Mohali, the Indian bowlers will have to bowl out of their skin to stop a strong Aussies batting unit.
Rahul stressed this factor. “Looks a good pitch. It took some time to get used to the bounce of the pitch. I have played here in the IPL and I knew the shots that work here.
“I used my experience. I always work on hitting on both sides of the ground and get into good positions. Fortunately the ball was in the areas where I could hit it for sixes. Glad they came off the middle of the bat,” Rahul told the host broadcaster Star Sports during the innings break.
India went into this match without Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant.
“It is an opportunity to test ourselves. Every game is a big game to learn. We got to learn so much in the last six-eight months on how to win games.
“This series will be no different for us to express ourselves. Looking at what happened in the Asia Cup, we had a chance to reflect on where we went wrong.
“This gives us an opportunity to correct ourselves as a group. Nothing changes in terms of our approach. Unfortunately there are some injuries in the squad. Bumrah is not playing, he will take a game's break and probably come back in the second and the third game. We have Axar and Chahal. Rishabh Pant misses out,” said India captain Rohit Sharma at toss.