Follow the highlights from match 5 of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 as hosts India began their campaign with a victory against record ODI World Cup winners Australia at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
Good feeling to come out on top. (Bowling and fielding) Magnificent. Especially the fielding. The fielding was something we really put our effort on. It was a great effort. In conditions like this it can be tough sometimes. We knew there would be assistance for everyone. Seamers got reverse, spinners bowled in nice areas. All in all a great effort. (Nervous at 3 for 2?) Yes I was to be honest. You don't want to start like that when chasing a target. Credit to Australia, but some loose shots there as well. But that happens, you want to get off the mark and score quickly in the powerplay. Hats off to Virat and KL - the way they stuck out there to create a match-winning partnership. (Adapting to next surface?) That will be the biggest challenge moving forward because we will play in different conditions. Might have to change combinations too and as a team we are prepared to do that. (Crowd) Chennai never disappoints. Crowd was brilliant from word go. For them to sitting in the heat and cheering says a lot.Rohit Sharma (India Captain)
(How far short was the score?) Atleast 50 odd. Tough trying to defend 200. (Challenges of batting?) Really good bowling attack. And facing spinners was tough. Was the kind of wicket you had to get yourself in. (Kohli drop) I've already forgotten about it! Not ideal, especially for his calibre. Four down for 10 would've been amazing but wasn't to be. (Hazlewood) Always poses questions with the ball. (What to tell the team before next game?) Have to have a review. Obviously a tough surface. It's just one game out of nine, no need to dwell over that. No regrets [about toss.]Pat Cummins (Australia Captain)
(On walking out so early at 2/3) Quite honestly not a lot of conversation, I thought I’d get a good shower and get a break. I was just trying to get my breath back. Virat said there’s a bit in the wicket, so play like Test cricket for a while. There was a bit of help for the pacers with the new ball, and then the spinners also. In the last 15-20 overs, dew played a part and that helped quite a bit. The ball also skidded on better. However, it was a bit two-paced, it wasn’t the easiest of wickets to bat on and it wasn’t flat as well. It was a good cricket wicket, bit for the batters and the bowlers. That’s what you get in the south of India, especially Chennai. (On his reaction after the last six) I hit it too well, I just calculated how to get to a 100 in the end. The only way for 4 and a six, but no qualms on not getting to that hundred.KL Rahul