“ The Match that it Was ”

Carlton Mid Triseries  Match 1 (Ind vs Aus) Report 

It was a return of familiar scenes as M S Dhoni finally marshalled Team India into the all important tri-series leading into the World title defence . After winning the call in a typical Australian drop-in pitch , skipper decided to have a bat first .

But his decision was put into scrutiny as soon as the top order beginning to falter , with Shikhar dhawan  2(3) , Rahane 12(28) and new test skipper Kohli 9(24) , failed to consolidate their innings after being in for a while . This lead to fears of another batting collapse with the Indian innings meandering around 59-3 , when Suresh Raina walked out to the middle .

Raina , who had raised quite a few eyebrows with his dismal show in the preceding test series , however , steadily built the innings with the ever elegant Rohit Sharma , and soon both were off to a start . The partnership between the duo flourished which not only get India out of trouble but also allowed to accumulate runs at a brisk pace .

Australia next had the taste of success when Raina fell after scoring yet another fifty , just at the nick of the batting power play . Next to walk in was Captain Cool who received an enormous reception by the crowd , who were dumb shelled by his sudden decision to quit tests . Though his stay at the crease was short one , he stayed to see Rohit score yet another magnificent century , thus settling the opening debate for a while . After Dhoni perished , the lower middle order and the lower order faltered , to some extent , among some excellent death bowling by the aussies . Indian innings finally came to a halt at 267/8 .

The second half saw some really erratic bowling bursts by the Indian quirks , coupled with some lightning quick attack by the aussie openers . India had the first victim as David Warner , who perished , trying to pull a short of length delivery from Umesh Yadav . Then on , Australia seemed to be on song , with late set backs , making in roads for India , to some extent . Finally , Australia managed to wipe out the requisite by the final over , after India showed varied characteristics with the same attack .

In the post match presentation , Dhoni asked for more responsible approach by both the new ball bowlers and batsmen of the top order . Though Mitchell Starc was clearly the difference between the two sides .