Australia place up an enthralling efficiency with the bat in the opening ODI of the 3-match series on Friday as the hosts set India a mammoth target of 375 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Having opted to bat just after winning the toss, Australia got off to a brilliant start off with openers David Warner and skipper Aaron Finch scoring common boundaries. The duo kept the scoreboard operating and touched the one hundred-run mark in the 19th more than.
Mohammed Shami handed India the initial breakthrough as he dismissed Warner (69), ending their 156-run partnership. But the joy was shortlived as Steve Smith came out to bat.
Smith and Finch proved also very good for the Indian bowlers and took Australia previous the 200-run mark in the 34th more than. Smith began playing aggressively and completed his half-century off just 36 deliveries. Finch kept plugging the gaps and went on to score his 17th ODI century, placing the hosts in a dominating position.
Their 108-run stand was brought to an finish in the 40th more than by Jasprit Bumrah, who sent Aaron Finch (114) back to the pavilion. Marcus Stoinis was the subsequent batsman but failed to leave a mark as he was caught behind off Yuzvendra Chahal as the hosts have been lowered to 271/3.
Stoinis’ dismissal brought Glenn Maxwell to the wicket. Maxwell looked intent on beginning in overdrive mode, taking the group previous the 300-run mark in the 43rd more than with Smith for corporation. Maxwell played a 45-run cameo prior to Shami ended his 19-ball remain at the crease in the 45th more than. Maxwell was caught by Ravindra Jadeja at lengthy-on.
Holding his personal, Smith completed his century off 62 balls in the 49th more than. However, in the subsequent more than, Shami sent Smith (105) back to the hut. Alex Carey and Pat Cummins scored six runs in the final more than as Australia completed on 374.
Brief scores: Australia 374/6 (Aaron Finch 114, Steve Smith 105, Mohammed Shami 3/59) vs India.