SYDNEY: Skipper Aaron Finch and Steve Smith smashed centuries and Adam Zampa took four wickets as Australia crushed India in the opening match of the three-match ODI series at Sydney Cricket Ground.
Chasing a huge target of 375, India looked rusty in their first international match since February. Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya and Opener Shikhar Dhawan tried their best but fall short in front of a massive Australian score.
Pandya scored 90 off 76 balls, powered by four sixes and seven fours while Dhawan made 74 off 86 which included ten fours. Captain Virat Kohli managed to score 21 runs only.
Josh Hazlewood put the skids under the tourists, triggering a top-order wobble. Among his victims was the coveted wicket of skipper Virat Kohli, as India amassed 308 for eight in reply.
Leg-spinner Adam Zampa was the pick of the bowlers as he picked four wickets for 54 while Hazlewood finished with figures of 3/53. Australia enjoyed perfect batting conditions.
Skipper Aaron Finch belted 114 and shared an opening stand of 156 with David Warner, who made 69 off 75 balls. Smith hit 105 off 66 balls with four sixes. He was saved by DRS after a confident appeal for leg before wicket on 15.
Glenn Maxwell also joined the party as he raced away to 45 in just 19 balls. Marnus Labuschagne only lasted two balls before holing out to Dhawan. Alex Carey was unbeaten on 17.
For India, Yuzvendra Chahal conceded the most runs by an Indian spinner in ODI cricket. He gave away 81 runs in 10 overs with one wicket to his name. Mohammad Shami claimed three for 59 while Jasprit Bumrah and Navdeep Saini also picked one each.
