INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
NEW DELHI: India pacer Mohammed Shami delivered a stunning inswinger to floor the leg stump of ace Australia batter Steve Smith in the first
One-Day International (ODI) of the three-match series on Friday at Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali.When skipper KL
Rahul gave Shami his second spell, Smith was well set in the middle, already batting on 41, and India needed another breakthrough after
David Warner's dismissal to turn the tide as Australia looked settled for a big total at 111 for 2 after 21 overs
A single was taken off the first delivery by Marnus Labuschagne, and Smith played a defensive off-side shot off the second
The third delivery nipped into the stumps sharply after landing outside off stump line
Smith went for a drive but was a tad late and the ball took an inside edge before flooring the leg stump to the ground.And with it India got
a massive breakthrough as Smith departed after scoring 41 off 60 balls, which included a six and three fours
Smith also added a crucial 94 runs for the second wicket with Warner (52) for the Aussies after losing Mitchell Marsh early in the first
over to Shami.India skipper KL Rahul won the toss and opted to bowl first against Australia
Rahul is leading India in two of the three ODIs, with regular captain Rohit Sharma resting ahead of the World Cup, which begins next
month.Ravichandran Ashwin, India's experienced off-spinner, has returned to the ODI squad, with selectors exploring alternatives if left-arm
spinner Axar Patel fails to recuperate in time for the World Cup.Australian skipper Pat Cummins, who has returned from a wrist injury, gave
Matthew Short, who was added to the team due to Travis Head's injury, his ODI debut in the game.
