6.00 pm: Finally, nearly 10 hours for an ODI. That’s got to be looked at by the powers that be, but maybe everyone was just a little off the pace today. Not the Australian batsmen, though. That will be all from us for this blog. Back to the action on Sunday from SCG. There’s the WBBL final tomorrow, for those interested. Live again on Sony network India at 1.40 pm IST.

Steve Smith, player of the match: “Searching for something, over the last two months really. Three days back something just clicked”

Virat Kohli: “Body language after 25 overs wasn’t great, that was the most disappointing part. Unfortunately Hardik is not ready to bowl at the moment. Lapses in the field did not help. As a batting unit, we played positive cricket”   

AUSTRALIA WIN BY 66 RUNS! A brilliant batting effort by the hosts, followed by a decent bowling performance as they take a 1-0 lead. A comfortable win as it turned out.



1st ODI live updates: https://scroll.in/field/979596/australia-vs-india-first-odi-live-score-updates-stats-commentary-of-ausvind-series-opener

WICKET! Starc with an unplayable yorker to Shami. Walks back to the mark quickly, no celebration.

After 49 overs, India 307/7: 300 comes up in the penultimate over.

After 48 overs, India 299/7: Starc on to salvage his bowling figures. An appeal for caught behind in that over, review taken but no edge. 0/64 off 8 for the pacer today so far.

After 47 overs, India 297/7: Shami swinging, the only way he knows to bat. A six and a four in Maxwell’s over.

After 46 overs, India 282/7: In the over Jadeja finally showed some intent, he was also dismissed. Zampa finishes with four wickets, and the two that clinched the match for India.

WICKET! A rather disappointing innings from Jadeja comes to an end. He is out for 25 off 37 balls as Zampa picks up his fourth. India 281/7.

After 45 overs, India 273/6: Six for Saini! Lovely hit down the ground off Maxwell.

After 44 overs, India 265/6: Finch happy to persist with spin from both end as for Some reason India are trying to rotate strike here. Someone should tell Jadeja NRR doesn’t matter and he’s not playing for CSK. 3 off Maxwell’s over, 5 off Zampa’s.

After 42 overs, India 256/6: Australia rushing through overs. We have now crossed 8 hours since the first ball was bowled today.

After 40 overs, India 250/6: No offence to any of the batsmen to follow, but imagine if India had a good finisher walking in now. As such, the game is all but done even though Saini showed in NZ he can hang around.

WICKET! Zampa strikes again! That might be that for this run-chase. Pressure building on him (Jadeja has not helped the cause), Hardik Pandya finds the fielder at long on. He is out for 90 off 76 balls, an innings that augurs well for India overall. India 247/6 after 39 overs.

After 38 overs, India 246/5 (Hardik 90, Jadeja 7): Jadeja still hasn’t got going yet, neither rotating strike easily nor finding the boundaries. Pressure might start building on him. Pandya hits a four down the ground, all power again.

After 37 overs, India 237/5 (Hardik 85, Jadeja 3): It’s always enjoyable to have Warne on air when a legspinner is bowling. To see him try and be a part of the game. Anyway, good over from Zampa, just four off it.

After 36 overs, India 232/5 (Hardik 83, Jadeja 1): Just one run from the Cummins over. Australia have reestablished their grip on the match.

WICKET! Good captaincy by Finch. Zampa back into the attack, mid-off at the edge of the circle. Dhawan falls into the trap. End of a fantastic innings and partnership, as Dhawan falls for 74.

After 34 overs, India 227/4 (Dhawan 73, Hardik 80) Dhawan has found his groove again. A lovely flick off Cummins to help himself to a boundary. Shane Warne, on Fox feed, is already talking about this potentially being the greatest run-chase of all time.

After 33 overs, India 221/4 (Dhawan 68, Hardik 79) : Maxwell finishes the Stoinis over and he puts down a second catch of the night. Slammed by Hardik back at him, low, and Maxwell can’t hold on.

Oh dear: Marcus Stoinis, who was keeping things quite tight from his end, has walked back into the dressing room after two balls in his seventh over. That might be a problem for Australia.

After 31 overs, India 218/4 (Dhawan 67, Hardik 77) Another over salvaged by a four by Dhawan. India maintaining a decent tempo.

After 31 overs, India 213/4 (Dhawan 63, Hardik 76): Stoinis was getting away with another really good over, but Dhawan manages to find a boundary (after a while).

After 30 overs, India 208/4 (Dhawan 59, Hardik 75): A lovely pull shot by Hardik off Hazlewood, Australia’s best bowler today.

  After 30 overs: AUS 169/1 

After 30 overs: IND 208/4 

After 29 overs, India 201/4 (Dhawan 58, Hardik 69)

At this point Australia were 163/1. So...

After 29 overs, India 201/4 (Dhawan 58, Hardik 69): Couple of boundaries in the Starc over for Hardik Pandya just when it seemed like he had lost his rhythm a bit. First, a tennis shot through over and then a pull into the vacant midwicket region. 200 comes up for India in 29 overs! The required rate is still very much under control.

After 28 overs, India 190/4 (Dhawan 58, Hardik 58): More evidence of Hardik not just getting the timing right at the moment. Stoinis, meanwhile, is in the middle of a superb spell. 19/0 off 5 overs.

After 27 overs, India 185/4 (Dhawan 55, Hardik 56): Two runs from Stoinis over and then three from Starc’s. Hardik beginning to lose his shape going hard at the ball. The pace on the pitch is slowing down / being taken away the Aussies perhaps? He seems to have lost his rhythm a bit here.

After 25 overs, India 180/4 (Dhawan 52, Hardik 54) A catch that was missed, a no ball above waist height that was not called by the umpires, a top edge falling in no man’s land... eventful over from Starc.

FIFTY FOR SHIKHAR DHAWAN! Pat Cummins completely loses sight of the ball and cannot get his hands to the catch, the ball rolls to the boundary for four. A solid innings by Dhawan.

FIFTY FOR HARDIK PANDYA: FOUR, SIX, DOT, SIX! A 31-ball half century for Hardik Pandya as he takes on Glenn Maxwell. He crosses 1000 runs in ODIs too. Good innings, this. Not too much celebration either. Looks keen on playing a big one.

After 22 overs, India 151/4 (Dhawan 44, Hardik 34): Couple of quiet overs from Australia from Maxwell and Stoinis.

After 20 overs, India 144/4 (Dhawan 41, Hardik 23): SIX! Hardik Pandya hits another big shot down the ground off Zampa. Loves playing that shot. And later in the over, Maxwell puts down a catch as Dhawan gets a life. Eventful over. At the end of 20 overs, India 25 runs short of Australia’s score at the end of 30 overs.

After 19 overs, India 135/4 (Dhawan 41, Hardik 23): A four off the last ball of the Stoinis over for Dhawan. Nice little partnership this.

After 18 overs, India 128/4 (Dhawan 36, Hardik 21): SIX! Hardik Pandya smashes one down the ground off Adam Zampa. 98 meters! Top shot. But unfortunately, going by what he said during IPL about not wanting to change his bat, he has to ask for a new one after that. That brings about a four for his off the outside edge.

After 17 overs, India 117/4 (Dhawan 36, Hardik 10): The bouncer arrives at Hardik from Cummins, pulled well for a four.

After 16 overs, India 110/4 (Dhawan 35, Hardik 3): Four runs from the Zampa over. Gone a bit quiet at SCG.

After 15 overs, India 106/4 (Dhawan 34, Hardik 1): A freehit on offer to Dhawan in that Cummins over but he hits it straight back to the bowler.

After 14 overs, India 103/4 (Dhawan 32, Hardik 1): Hardik is the new man in as Zampa completes a successful first over. Will he go with the all-out-attack approach too?

WICKET! Oh dear. Flighted, full toss and KL Rahul hits it straight to Steve Smith at cover. Adam Zampa has a wicket in his first over. What a soft dismissal. India 101/4.

After 13 overs, India 99/3 (Dhawan 31, Rahull 11): A tidy over by Starc, finally! Just one run.

After 12 overs, India 98/3: Ze Hazlewood continues from one end. Five runs from that over, he has figures of 32/3 after 6 overs.

(correction) After 11 overs, India 93/3

After 11 overs, India 93/3: Three wickets done, India might slow down a bit? Nope. 4-1-0-2-4-2 off Starc’s over. A boundary each for Dhawan and Rahul in that over.

WICKET! Bouncer and Shreyas Iyer gets in a tangle! Hazlewood has his third wicket and India are in trouble now. 80/3 after 9.5.

BIG WICKET! Virat Kohli was going hard after the Australian bowling. Was fun while it lasted, but not quite his usual innings in a run-chase. This is what we referred to earlier. Danced down the track and was cramped for room. Not happy with himself. He mishits a pull and Hazlewood has his 2nd. 78/2.

After 9 overs, India 76/1:

SHOT OF THE DAY: What a shot, Virat! Reminiscent of the six he hit off Rabada in a T20. Stay tuned for the video.

After 8 overs, India 67/1 (Dhawan 22, Kohli 13): Kohli seems to be a bit too antsy at the moment. Giving himself room and all that. He played some of those in the video BCCI posted as well too, maybe a new plan to go hard early?

After 7 overs, India 64/1 (Dhawan 21, Kohli 11): DROPPED! A gift from Adam Zampa to his RCB captain?! Virat Kohli gets a top edge and the spinner puts down a high catch at fine leg. And what does Virat Kohli do? Plays a sensational pull shot and a lofted cover drive on the charge for back-to-back fours.

After 6 overs, India 54/1 (Dhawan 21, Kohli 1): Just one run and a wicket in that Hazlewood over. Josh is high for Aussies now.

WICKET! After playing some gorgeous shots, Mayank Agarwal goes for a hoick and is caught at point. Out for 22 off 18. Hazlewood strikes. Getting out is not an issue here for Mayank, but was that out-of-the-box shot needed?

Correction: After 5 overs, India 53/0

After 5 overs, India 46/0: A seven-run over must come as a relief for the Aussies. India got to their 50 off just 25 balls. Spectacular start this.

After 4 overs, India 46/0: One lovely shot in the over. Agarwal made some room for his arms and then slogged the ball over cover for a six. Australia don’t quite know what has hit them.

After 3 overs, India 39/0: Starc gets some control back for the Aussies. But Dhawan (15) and Agarwal (15) already look like they are in and ready to make the most of this good wicket.

After 2 overs, India 32/0: Another good over for India. The pitch seems to be playing even better than it did in the first innings. The ball coming onto the bat that little bit better. Agarwal unfurling some fine strokes against Hazlewood. Just the start India would have been looking for. Puts the pressure right back on the Aussies.

After 1 over, India 20/0: No movement for Starc too and he helped India with a big wide down the leg-side. A good start will be crucial for India given the total they are chasing and they have got off the blocks in some style.

Innings break: Electing to bat, Australia posted an imposing 374/6. Both skipper Aaron Finch and top batsman Steve Smith smashed hundreds for the home side.

Brief scores: Australia: 374/6 in 50 overs (Aaron Finch 114, Steve Smith 105, David Warner 69, Mohammed Shami 3/59).

Innings break: Wasim Jaffer (KXIP coach) staying on with his meme game.

Innings break: Australia have posted their highest ever total against India in ODIs!

End of 50 overs, AUS 374/6: 110 runs in the last 10 overs, 205 in the last 20. Madness at SCG

WICKET: Shami breaches Smith’s defence but the damage has been done. 372/6, Smith out for 105.

After 49 overs, Australia 368/5: Shami with the last over

CENTURY FOR STEVE SMITH! He has found his hands indeed. A 62-ball hundred for the Aussie star. A brilliant innings. Had a life, but has made the most of it.

After 48 overs, AUS 355/5: Carey hits a four off Saini’s over. 350 comes up!

After 47 overs, AUS 342/5: Smith 87, Carey 5: Bumrah doing Bumrah things in that over, with a series of good full deliveries. Six runs is not a bad return.

After 46 overs, AUS 336/5: Smith 85, Carey 1

WICKET! Saini gets a wicket, as Labuschagne holes out to Dhawan at long off. Two catches taken by Indian fielders at the boundary line, believe it or not.

WICKET: Maxwell’s blistering cameo comes to an end. He is out for 45 off 19 balls. Jadeja takes the catch at long on, Shami has his second. AUS 328/4.

After 44 overs, AUS 317/3: Make that three sixes in 13 balls for Glenn Maxwell! A massive hit over midwicket. He’s in the mood. Hits two more fours after that in the offside too.

After 43 overs, AUS 302/3 (Smith 73, Maxwell 27) Maxwell did not hit a single six in IPL 2020. Hits a reverse sweep for six off Chahal off the 8th ball in this match. And then finishes the over with another six, another instance of an Indian fielder parrying one by standing inside the fence. Plan? Rustiness? Poor fielding all the same.

After 42 overs, AUS 281/3 (Smith 72, Maxwell 7): Maxi gets going with a square drive for four that is probably timed better than any of the shots he played in IPL.

WICKET! Chahal, who has been expensive today, gets his first wicket and India have two in quick succession. Stoinis is out for a duck, sharp catch with the gloves by Rahul. From IPL to Sydney, back-to-back ducks for Stoinis. 272/3 after 41 overs. Maxwell is the new man in. Smith had hit another superb six in that Chahal over too.

After 40 overs, AUS 264/2 (Smith 63): WICKET! Just as he was accelerating after his century, Bumrah finally ends Finch’s stay in the middle. Goes for an inventive shot, but Rahul takes an easy catch. AUS 264/2, Finch out of 114. (40 overs)

CENTURY FOR AARON FINCH! Looks up at the sky, then acknowledges the crowd. Has taken 117 balls. The Aussie captain has led from the front in Sydney. Virat Kohli must be wondering, apart from how to get Finch out today, where was this during IPL, perhaps?

After 38 overs, Australia 238/1 (Finch 99, Smith 52)

FIFTY FOR STEVE SMITH! HE HAS FOUND HIS HANDS, INDEED. The former Aussie captain has raced to a half century off 36 balls, hits a couple of boundaries off Shami. His last five scoring shots have been boundaries.

After 37 overs, Australia 226/1 (Finch 97, Smith 42): Jadeja must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed today. After Smith hit two good shots for fours, he mishits a slog sweep that would have gone straight to Dhawan if he was on the fence at long on. Instead, he is a few yards in, and the ball drops overhead. 0/63 in 10 overs for Jadeja.

Jadeja for his last over.

After 36 overs, Australia 214/1 (Finch 97, Smith 30): Still no century for Finch. Missed out on a few gifts on his pads from Shami, there.

Shami returns for his 7th over.

After 35 overs, Australia 208/1 (Finch 96, Smith 27): Another quick, tight over by Jadeja. Finch seems to have slowed down a bit, run a ball stuff in the last few overs.

After 34 overs, Australia 203/1 (Finch 94, Smith 24): A brilliantly placed pull shot by Smith for four. Saini’s lengths have indeed been off today. 200 comes up for Australia.

After 33 overs, Australia 194/1 (Finch 91, Smith 19): A boundary for Smith to rub salt into Jadeja’s wounds. He has actually bowled decently without reward today.

GOOD REVIEW: There have been a fair few appeals from Jadeja today. He finally gets a decision in his favour, but DRS overturns on-field decision by the barest of margins! Smith is not out. Bounced JUST above the stumps.

After 32 overs, 188/1 (Finch 91, Smith 13): Finch is into the 90s. A four over point to finish that Saini over.

After 31 overs, 179/1 (Finch 86, Smith 9): Chahal has been off colour today, it must be said. A four for Smith off a full toss. But the Indian spinners do tend to take wickets closer to the 40th over mark.

After 30 overs, 169/1 (Finch 81, Smith 4): Saini back into the attack. Six runs in that over. Cliche dictates Australia should look to double score from here. That would be 338.

After 29 overs, 163/1 (Finch 78, Smith 1): The great start from Australia won’t matter much here, if they can’t push on. India will look to tighten the noose here if they could. A delayed free hit call to end that Chahal over. Finch puts it away for a four, with what seemed to be a switch hit. India did not need that. Poor cricket.

Good call from the TV umpire: Really glad that was given out when the deviation was clear in the traditional replays when technology was inconclusive. Common sense call.

WICKET FOR INDIA, FINALLY! Who was going to provide the breakthrough, we wondered. The answer is Shami (and a good review by Kohli). Big appeal for caught behind, India review the decision. And there is a edge. David Warner walks back. Smith is the new man in. AUS: 156/1 (27.5)

After 27 overs, AUS 149/0 (Warner 63, Finch 72): Jadeja was going at a good ER before that over (0/29 in 6) but Finch has decided that’s not good enough for Australia. Dances down the ground and hits a six that clears long on. 11 runs from that over.

After 26 overs, AUS 138/0 (Warner 62, Finch 62): Shami returns with a 4-run over.

STAT (via broadcaster): India’s bowling struggling a bit in ODIs. 6 matches in 2020: 51.30 balls/wicket, 28 matches in 2019: 36.10 balls/wicket, 20 matches in 2018: 34.20 balls/wicket.

After 25 overs, AUS 134/0 (Warner 59, Finch 61): Halfway stage of the innings, no wickets yet for India. What’s the target going to be? A lovely reverse sweep from Warner in that Jadeja over for four.

After 24 overs, Australia 127/0 (Warner 52, Finch 61): A maiden over is foiled. After five dot balls from Chahal, Warner takes a single.

HALF CENTURY FOR DAVID WARNER! The Aussie opener is picking up from where he left off in the IPL. He got into into great hitting form in the latter part of the tournament, and this has been reflective off his form. Finch, who is striking at a slower pace, hits a four in that Jadeja over. 126/0 (23)

After 22 overs, Australia 118/0 (Warner 48, Finch 56): Indiscipline from Bumrah. No ball, followed by one so far down the leg side to Warner. Would have been four even if it wasn’t a free hit.

After 21 overs, Australia 107/0 (Warner 43, Finch 55): Jadeja continues, four singles.

After 20 overs, Australia 103/0 (Warner 41, Finch 53): BIG CHANCE! Jadeja misses a direct hit and Finch was short of his crease by some distance. Bumrah is back into the attack and Kohli is getting understandably desperate for a wicket.

HALF CENTURY FOR AARON FINCH! After a below par IPL, Finch is back to his best at the top of the order for Australia it would seem. Gets to the fifty in the 19th over off Jadeja. Hit a massive six off Chahal in the previous over too. 100 comes up for Australia as well. 100/0 after 19 overs.

After 17 overs, Australia 86/0 (Warner 37, Finch 40): Another big appeal in that over, for caught behind against Finch. But no review. Right call, brushed the pads.

After 16 overs, Australia 81/0 (Warner 35, Finch 39): A chance for India! Brilliant effort running back by Dhawan at point but the dive is not sufficient to reach the ball. Great effort. Mishit lofted shot by Finch as Chahal slows one down wide.

After 15 overs, Australia 76/0 (Warner 34, Finch 36): A couple of LBW appeals in the Jadeja over against Finch. The second one was really close. India don’t review thinking it’s bat first but it’s not, however would have been umpire’s call anyway.

Time for Jadeja... will Australia look to target him?

After 14 overs, Australia 72/0 (Warner 33, Finch 34): The intent back on display after a couple of tight overs as Warner lofts one for four over midwicket while Finch attempts to hit a big one but mishits. India cannot afford Chahal to be expensive here.


[From The Archive] In February 2019, Ravi Shastri proudly proclaimed Kuldeep Yadav as India’s ‘number one overseas spinner’ but things have changed drastically since then.

READ: Kuldeep Yadav was once India’s brightest spinning talent, now he can’t get a game

Time for the first drinks break...

After 13 overs, Australia 64/0 (Warner 27, Finch 32): A bouncer from Saini but it’s too high. There have not been too many too test the openers, yet. Finch, Warner content rotating strike now.

After 12 overs, Australia 56/0 (Warner 23, Finch 29): Always a pleasure to watch Chahal in action. You know he is going to test the batsman, irrespective of conditions and match situations. Good first over, a wide and a single.

After 11 overs, Australia 54/0 (Warner 22, Finch 29): Better over from Saini. Time for Chahal at the other end.

After 10 overs, Australia 51/0 (Warner 20, Finch 29): The first 10 comes to an end with a tight over. Shami, returning for a change of ends, concedes just 2. But this is a superb start for Australia.

After 9 overs, Australia 49/0 (Warner 19, Finch 28): A boundary each for Warner and Finch in that Saini over. Australia setting a strong platform.

After 8 overs, Australia 40/0 (Warner 15, Finch 23): Tight over by Bumrah, and a speedy one too.

After 7 overs, Australia 37/0 (Warner 13, Finch 22): Saini into the attack after a brief delay and Finch cuts one away for four. Good recovery from the pacer after that.

After 6 overs, Australia 37/0 (Warner 13, Finch 17): Finch overtakes Warner with a pull shot for four. Lovely hit off a short ball from Bumrah. Reaches 5000 ODI runs in that over as well.

After 5 overs, Australia 27/0 (Warner 13, Finch 12): The ante is being upped. Aggressive shots in that Shami over by Warner and Finch, a couple of threes taken too. The timing is not there still, perhaps but the intent is.

Correction: After 4 overs, Australia 17/0 (Warner 9, Finch 6)

After 4 overs, Australia 8/0 (Warner 9, Finch 6): A series of 144-plus kph deliveries from Bumrah. Finch plays an uppish off-drive for four, that just evades the fielder and then Warner puts in a sensational dive to complete a quick single. Kohli’s direct hit is great, but Warner survives.

After 3 overs, Australia 8/0 (Warner 6, Finch 2): Another tight over by Shami, who looks in nice rhythm.

After 2 overs, Australia 1/0 (Warner 6, Finch 1): After five good balls, a hint of width from Bumrah. And Warner cuts it away for the first boundary. Good tussle early on.

After 1 over, Australia 1/0 (Warner 1, Finch 0): Sham starts off with a peach to Warner! Finch must be glad there’s no Bhuvi darting in with the new ball. Just a single in the first over.

Here we go. With real fans cheering on, and not artificial noise, the ODI series begins! Shami to start off, Warner and Finch in the middle for the hosts. Play!

National anthems time.

09.04 am: At the pitch report, Mark Waugh said there was a hint of grass on the SCG pitch. There might be help for the pacers early on, perhaps? Bumrah and Co will look to strike early. As well, Saini is fit to play after reports of back spasms last night.

Playing XIs:

Australia XI: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey (wicket-keeper), Pat Cummins, Mitch Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood  

India XI: Shikhar Dhawan, Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli (c), Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Navdeep Saini, Jasprit Bumrah  

There you go, in case you missed it, India’s latest jersey. A throwback to 1992. Yay or nay?

(Courtesy: BCCI / Twitter)

08.40 pm: TOSS: Australia have won the toss and Aaron Finch opts to bat first at SCG.

08.19 am: First things first. In classic BCCI fashion, we received important updates close to midnight Indian time on Thursday. Rohit Sharma had to return to India from UAE to be with his ailing father, and now, Ishant Sharma has been ruled out of the Test series. T Natarajan, meanwhile, added to India’s ODI squad.

After Virat Kohli calls for clarity, BCCI say Rohit Sharma’s fitness will be assessed on December 11

08.15 am: Hello all and welcome to the live coverage of a significant moment in 2020: the return to action of the Indian men’s cricket team at the international stage.

By most accounts, 2020 has been a bizarre one for sport and cricket has been no exception. In an era where international cricket is almost non-stop, no one would have imagined it would take 270 days (that’s 73.77% of the year) between international matches for the Indian men’s team.

But here we are. We are not just welcoming the Indian team back in action, we are also witnessing the return of spectators to the venue for a cricket match. A matter of little concern in the years past, but one that is of immeasurable significance in 2020.

The lack of international cricket this year makes it hard to determine form, although Australia head into the white-ball series on the back of beating 50-over world champions England in September.

India haven’t played together since a tour of New Zealand in February, when they clinched the Twenty20 series but were whitewashed 3-0 in the ODIs and 2-0 in the Tests.

But they can take solace from winning their last Test and ODI series in Australia two summers ago.

What’s in store over the next few weeks Down Under? We can’t wait to find out.

(With AFP inputs)