KL Rahul Credits Ravindra Jadeja After India's Clinical Win
Rahul-Jadeja partnership helped India chase the total [Source: AP]
Team India displayed exceptional performance in the inaugural One Day International (ODI) match against Australia, winning by five wickets in Mumbai. The team's skilful bowling restricted the visitors to a mere 188 runs before India successfully chased the target in the 40th over, spearheaded by KL Rahul's match-winning knock of an unbeaten 75 off 91 deliveries.
The right-hander's remarkable partnership (108*) with Ravindra Jadeja, who contributed a vital 45* runs, proved to be the turning point in the game.
Following the match, Rahul was effusive in his praise for Jadeja, whom he described as a talented and versatile player, capable of batting with great skill and running between the wickets with speed and precision.
“Jaddu batted beautifully and he runs hard between the wickets. He is in great form and he knows what to do in those situations," said Rahul.
The Karnataka batter explained that batting alongside Jadeja was a fun experience as the left-hander's arrival at the crease coincided with a period when he got some loose deliveries, allowing him to play some fluent shots and gain confidence.
“We wanted to be positive and put the loose balls away. If we are good with our footwork, we could do well and it was fun batting with Jadeja. The minute the left-hander walked in, I got a few loose balls. That happens to the best of bowlers. The left-hander walking in and that worked for us,” added the Indian stumper.
Meanwhile, earlier in the game, Hardik Pandya, leading India in the absence of Rohit Sharma, elected to bowl after winning the toss.
The bowling duo of Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj exhibited exceptional performances, each scalping three wickets each, as the Aussies were bowled out for a paltry 188, thus recording Wankhede’s lowest ODI total in 21 years.
 "Jatin")
