India began their 2022 T20 World Cup with their first warm up match against Australia at the Gabba on Monday. India held their nerves to win by 6 runs as their death bowling came to the fore. KL Rahul and Surya Kumar Yadav scored half centuries against the defending champions.
Kohli takes one handed stunner –
Australia needed 11 runs off the last over with Mohammad Shami being given the ball to bowl. The first two balls fetched two runs each with Pat Cummins on strike. The 3rd ball saw Shami bowl a low full toss and Cummins heaved it over the top. Much to the surprise and shock, Kohli stuck out his left hand to grab a one handed stunner. Kohli, also managed to keep his poise and posture to not go over the ropes and give six runs.
VIRAT KOHLI STOP IT!! Takes catch of the tournament.. in a warm up 😂🔥 #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/KosXyZw8lm
— Liam Clarke (@Clarkeyy23) October 17, 2022
KL Rahul and SKY fifties help India score 186 –
Batting first, India got off to a quick and brisk start with KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma going after every Australian bowler. The pair added 78 for the first wicket, with Rahul scoring 57 off 33 balls with 6 fours and 3 sixes. Rahul was out caught by Agar off Maxwell. Rohit Sharma holed out to Agar to be caught by Maxwell for 15, as Kohli scored 19 before falling to Starc.
Surya Kumar Yadav came out and started playing his brand of cricket and scored 50 off just 32 balls with 6 fours and a six before getting dismissed by Kane Richardson. Dinesh Karthik scored 20 off 14 balls with a four and six to his name as India scored 186.
Australia start strong –
David Warner was rested for the game and Mitchell Marsh was given a chance to open. Marsh scored 35 off 18 before being bowled by Bhuvneshwar Kumar to give India its 1st wicket. Smith and Finch then added 56 before Chahal cleaned up Smith for 11. Maxwell scored quick 23 off 16 balls with 4 fours as he was caught behind by Karthik off Kumar.
Harshal and Shami mop up the lower order –
Australia needed 16 runs off 12 balls as Harshal Patel was given the 19th over. The first ball he castled Finch with a Yorker for 76. The next ball Tim David was run out by Kohli for 5. Shami bowling the last over then dismissed Cummins for 7, as Agar was run out next ball.
Shami then cleaned up the final 2 wickets with perfect Yorkers when he first bowled Inglis for 1 and then Richardson for another searing yorker for a first ball duck. India thus began with a sound win by 6 runs .