Twitter Reactions: Half-centuries from KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav help India to 186 against Australia
KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav helped India to a competitive total in their first warm-up game against Australia in Brisbane.
India squared off against defending champions Australia in their first warm-up game of the T20 World Cup. The Men in Blue finished with 186/7 in their designated 20 overs on the back of half-centuries from KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav. The Indian team led by Rohit Sharma were invited to bat first after Australia won the toss. Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul led the charge for the Indians, with the latter compiling a sublime half-century. KL Rahul played the role of the aggressor in the 78-run opening stand and was looking in ominous touch.
The duo ensured a fast start for the Men in Blue before falling prey to spin in successive overs after the conclusion of the powerplay. Australia were in the ascendency after dismissing both the set openers, however, Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav wrestled back momentum with a brisk partnership.
Kohli, who played a few lovely shots, was dismissed by a well-directed bouncer by Mitchell Starc. Hardik Pandya followed suit soon after a sluggish brief stay in the middle. With the bigger boundaries on offer at the Gabba, the bowlers were not afraid the dish out short deliveries every now and then, something that led to Kohli and Pandya's dismissals.
Suryakumar Yadav provided the impetus to the batting innings with a brisk half-century
Beyond Rahul (57 off 33), only Suryakumar managed to breach the 30-run mark for the Indians. There was a nervy moment for the subcontinent side when their star batter was hit on the grill by Starc's short delivery. But the batter was fine to continue after that minor blow to the helmet. He registered a marvelous half-century off just 32 deliveries before meeting a tame end in the last over.
Australia used a total of seven bowlers in a bid to manage the workload of their primary bowlers. The home side decided to rest the no.1 T20I bowler Josh Hazelwood and leggie Adam Zampa to give a run around to Kane Richardson and Ashton Agar. Richardson returned with impressive figures of 4/30 in his four overs. Marcus Stoinis had a forgetful outing with the ball, leaking away 29 runs in his two overs, while Australian red-ball skipper Pat Cummins conceded 33 in his three.
Here is how Twitter eacted to the Indian batting innings:
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