Adelaide, Feb 15 (IANS) A splendid century by vice captain Virat Kohli guided India to 300/7 in their World Cup opening match against Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval here Sunday.
Backed by two century-run stands, India were cruising at 273/2 in the 45th over when Pakistan came back strongly to take five wickets and restrict the defending champions to only 300/7 in 50 overs, with the last five overs yielding only 27 runs.
At the start, Pakistani pacers Mohammed Irfan (0/58) and Sohail Khan (5/55) bowled a good line.
Despite that, India got off to a fluent start with openers Rohit Sharma (15) and Shikhar Dhawan (73). Rohit looked in prime touch until he gave away his wicket while trying to pull a not-so-short-delivery.
However, Dhawan struck a strong second-wicket 129-run partnership with Kohli (107). Dhawan looked good to score a hundred but confusion with Kohli in the 30th over caused his run out.
Pakistan could have capitalised on Dhawan's wicket but left-handed batsman Suresh Raina (74) had other ideas. His 56-ball innings was laden with five fours and three sixes as India's run rate almost touched run-a-ball.
Kohli looked in sublime touch as he went on to notch his 22nd One-Day International (ODI) hundred, studded with eight boundaries. This is also the first century by an Indian against Pakistan in a World Cup match.
Though Kohli did not start well, playing a few reckless shots, he slowly built his innings. His 126-ball knock included eight fours.
Kohli was reprieved twice during his innings. In the beginning, he was dropped by Yasir Shah at long-on - a difficult chance. If Yasir would have taken the catch, it would have been a blinder.
Kohli was again dropped by wicketkeeper Umar Akmal while batting at 76.
Sohail finally hit success when he claimed a tired-looking Kohli's wicket, who slashed at a wide ball only to be caught behind. That started the collapse of the batting order.
Just when it looked like India were well on their way for a 330-plus score, some fantastic bowling by Pakistan helped the 1992 edition champions clinch five wickets and restrict India to only 300.
It was just the fillip Pakistan needed as some super death bowling by Wahab Riaz (1/49) and Sohail, who, playing only his sixth ODI, notched up his first five-wicket haul.
Statistics suggest that Pakistan have never chased more than 262 successfully in a World Cup match, and India have always defended a 300 or more total in the quadrennial event.
The Israeli army has claimed that its troops have surrounded Gaza City from all sides. Israeli PM
Harmonisation of academic standards needed for SAARC cooperation
Kolkata, Feb 24 (IANS) Calling upon India to play a major role in enhancing educational coopera
In the 15th season of IPL, the poor form of the Indian team's top stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Ko
Changing Types of Corona Virus: Bill Gates Explains 5 Important Things About It
The world has come a long way in the fight against the Coronavirus, but the new variant of Covid-
There has been political outrage in West Bengal on the BJP's Parivartan Yatra starting today. The
India Slams on US Report: Expressing strong objection to the allegations leveled against India in
Poco M5 launch revealed you will get so much with a great camera at a low price
Poco M5 Launch Date: Poco on Monday announced the launch of its new smartphone Poco M5. The compa
Russia made an agreement with Armenia-Azerbaijan on Nagorno Karabakh
Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia have signed an agreement to end the military conflict on the disp
IPL 2020: Stoinis, Delhi's player who won, Punjab's player who lost the team
In the second match of IPL 2020, Delhi Capitals competed with Kings XI Punjab.
Jammu Kashmir: Tension after hate speech in Bhaderwah, the administration imposed a curfew
Conspiracies are continuing to create tension in Bhaderwah (Doda) and Kishtwar districts through
