CHENNAI: A remarkable 165-run partnership off 215 balls between KL Rahul (97 not out) and Virat Kohli (85) propelled India to a six-wicket win over Australia in their first match in the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup campaign.

Earlier, spinners led by Ravindra Jadeja helped India bowl out Australia for just 199 in 49.3 overs. India's reply was not bright as they lost 3 wickets with only 2 runs on the board.

With the pressure being extremely high, Rahul and Kohli joined forces and used their extensive experience to resurrect the innings and get India on track in the chase.

The crowd had a huge sigh of relief in the eighth over when Mitchell Marsh, running in from mid-wicket, couldn’t hold on to a top-edge coming from Kohli’s mistimed pull, giving the batter a reprieve at 12, as India ended power-play at 27/3.

After Kohli pulled straight to mid-wicket off Hazlewood and fell for 85, Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul took India over the line.

Brief Scores: Australia 199 in 49.3 overs (Steven Smith 46, David Warner 41; Ravindra Jadeja 3-28, Jasprit Bumrah 2-35) lost to India 201-4 in 41.2 overs (KL Rahul 97 not out, Virat Kohli 85; Josh Hazlewood 3-38, Mitchell Starc 1-31) by six wickets