Australia openers David Warner and Aaron Finch starred in a record-breaking stand to hand India their heaviest one-day international defeat in 15 years during the first game of the three-match series in Mumbai on Tuesday.
The match was billed as a clash between two of the best teams in the world but there was no contest at all as Australia romped to a 10-wicket win while chasing India's modest total of 255.
Warner made 128 of just 112 balls while captain Aaron Finch remained unbeaten on 110 from 114 deliveries as Australia reached their target in the 38th over. It was India's first 10-wicket defeat in ODIs in 15 years after their loss to South Africa in Kolkata in 2005.
The wicket at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai turned out to be slow and two-paced. India's batsmen struggled to get their timing and placement right in the first innings, which was reflected in their scorecard as they went from 134-1 to 255 all out.
Shikhar Dhawan (74) and KL Rahul (47) tried to hold the innings together and take the match deep but the Aussies kept picking up wickets at regular intervals. Fast bowlers Mitchell Starc (3-56), Pat Cummins (2-44) made the most of a sluggish wicket while leg-spinner Adam Zampa took the crucial wicket of Virat Kohli – caught and bowled for 16 – which reduced the hosts to 156-4 in the 32nd over and started the slide from which India never recovered.
Rishabh Pant (28) and Ravindra Jadeja (25) tried their best in the lower order to help set a target of 256.
If the Indians thought their quicks would make life equally difficult for the Aussies, they were in for a shock of a lifetime. Finch set the tone as he sat deep in his crease and waited for the ball to come to him.
The Aussies went after Jasprit Bumrah – India's No1 bowler – and the opening bowler had no answers. Bumrah was hit for 50 runs in his seven overs while fellow new-ball bowler Mohammed Shami went for 58 in less than eight. Shardul Thakur bled 43 from just five as Australia maintained a run rate of over seven almost throughout the innings.
India's bowlers did beat the bat a few times and got a few edges, but Australia put the pressure right back by targeting the boundary. Warner hit 17 fours and three sixes during his innings while Finch hit 13 fours and two maximums.
Only wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav threatened the batsmen in his first few overs but once he failed to get a wicket, the match was done and dusted.
Victory was completed with 74 balls to spare as Australia took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
