Who said what: World reacts after India draws first blood in T20 series against Australia
Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 90 and a strong performance from India’s spinners helped India take a 1-0 lead over Australia in the three-match T20 series. After being asked to bat, Kohli and Suresh Raina added 134 for the second wicket to help India post 188.
In response, Australia got off to the perfect start as David Warner and Aaron Finch got them off to a flyer. But just when the game looked to be getting away from India, India’s spin twins of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja strangled the life out of the run chase.
Hardik Pandya, who was making his debut, conceded 19 runs off his first over, making it the most expensive first over bowled by a bowler making his T20I debut for a full-member, but came back strongly and got rid of the dangerous Chris Lynn, courtesy of a brilliant catch by Yuvraj Singh.
Australian captain takes the blame, admits poor fielding cost them dear
Aaron Finch said: “We let ourselves in the field today. And a great innings from Virat. He is hard to stop when he gets going. We executed well with the ball, but let ourselves down with the fielding. 170 would have been a nice score. When we got our chance to bat, I slowed down a bit and cost ourselves a bit of momentum."
Virat Kohli, who was awarded the Man of the Match, said: "I could take this stadium with me wherever I bat. Just trying to keep things simple. I believe that in T20 as well. This stadium is right up there with anywhere in the world. I would love to thank the fans for coming out and supporting us.”
Indian captain MS Dhoni was full of praise for the bowlers.
He said: "It was a good game. Good to see our bowlers making the batsmen play the big shot. Rohit started well, followed by Virat and well supported by Raina. He and Yuvi have had just one net session, which is why I promoted myself ahead of Yuvraj.
“We bowled superbly after that. I felt once Pandya went through that first over he would bowl much better. He was executing the yorker well, he was bowling the wide ball well.”
Former India’s women's’ team captain Anjum Chopra:
Superb day! Winning all the way @BCCI. Special win for the Indian men's team #AUSvIND #Adelaide #RepublicDay
— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) January 26, 2016
Aakash Chopra:
In the end the score was 37 too many Women's won in the morning, Men's in the evening. Brilliant #RepublicDay gift to the nation.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 26, 2016
Irfan Pathan, who was unlucky to miss out on the T20 squad, had this to say:
Well done team India @BCCI. Big win that....
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 26, 2016
Tom Moody on Australia's problems:
Australia lost 9/62 problems against spin, plenty to think about... #AUSvIND
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) January 26, 2016
India's bowlers who won them the game also earned plenty fo praise:
Aakash Chopra:
Making a comeback at 37...Nehra is an inspirational story. But the bigger story is Jasprit Bumrah...his maturity belies his age.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 26, 2016
Ashwin conceded 17 runs in the first over...only 11 in the next 3 overs. Sterling comeback in the match and in the game after missing 3 ODI
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 26, 2016
Harsha Bhogle:
Dhoni at his best with Ashwin and Jadeja delivering
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 26, 2016
Virat Kohli, who continued his impressive form, earned plenty of plaudits for his highest T20I score.
Kohli's precision in piercing the off-side field is sensational...his evolution as a batsman is exceptional. Eliminating weaknesses.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 26, 2016
There was plenty of praise for Shane Watson from current and former players:
You beauty @ShaneRWatson33!! Loves a wicket! #goldenarm #welcomebackwatto
— Glenn Maxwell (@Gmaxi_32) January 26, 2016
That's exactly why @ShaneRWatson33 should be playing all forms of the game for Australia! #gun #superstar #greattowatch
— David Hussey (@DavidHussey29) January 26, 2016
First over in BBL semi-final, first over in BBL final and first over today...Watson and his uncanny ability to pick wickets. #AusvInd
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 26, 2016
David Hussey has some suggestions for Australia's World T20 squad:
After tonight's bowling performance, it's quite simple... @zamps63 and @clintmckay27 both have to play in t20 World Cup. Clearly the best!
— David Hussey (@DavidHussey29) January 26, 2016