India beats Australia by six wickets to begin their ICC World Cup campaign on a positive note here on Sunday.
Half-centuries from Virat Kohli and KL Rahul powered India’s chase of 200 after the home team lost three wickets with just two runs on the board. Thanks to Kohli and Rahul’s 165-run partnership for the fourth wicket, India completed the task in 41.2 overs.
Earlier, India bowled out Australia for 199 following a disciplined effort with the ball.
Captain Pat Cummins opted to bat first after winning the toss but things didn't go as planned for the visitors, who were reeling at 119 for five in the 30th over. Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja (3/38) did the bulk of the damage with his middle over blows. Steven Smith top-scored for the Aussies with 46 off 71 balls, while David Warner made 41 from 52 balls.
Jadeja became the biggest nemesis among Indian spinners on a tacky Chepauk track.
Jadeja, who knows the track like the back of his hand, courtesy his decade-plus association with Chennai Super Kings, took 3 for 28 in 10 overs as the slowness of the surface and subtle variations used by the all-rounder became Australia's undoing.
Ravichandran Ashwin (2/34 in 10 overs) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/42 in 10 overs) also played their parts to perfection.
But it was Jadeja's show all the way as he tilted the scale in India's favour with quick dismissals of an under-pressure Steve Smith (46 off 71 balls) and an unusually subdued Marnus Labuschagne (27 off 41 balls).
The Indian spin trio collectively bowled 101 dot balls to completely choke the run-flow. In all there were nearly 29 overs worth dot balls by Indian bowlers, phenomenal by any stretch of imagination.