Mohali: Acting-captain K L Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav combined to help India overcome a mini-collapse and post a five-wicket win over Australia in the first ODI at Mohali on Friday.
The two added 80 for the fifth wicket. Surya, who fell for three first-ball ducks against Australia earlier in the year, made a fine 50, while Rahul remained unbeaten on 58 as India were home and dry with eight balls to spare.
India lost three quick wickets after openers Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad got them off to a dream start in their chase of 277. Gill (74) and Gaikwad (71) added 142 for the first wicket.
Leggie Adam Zampa trapped Gaikwad in front of the wicket.
Shreyas Iyer was run out for three, while Zampa castled Gill to revive the Australian hopes.
Ishan Kishan was dismissed by Pat Cummins for 18 before Rahul and Surya joined hands.
Earlier, Indian pacer Mohammed Shami picked up career-best 5/51 as Australia ended up with 276 in exactly 50 overs after being put in to bat.
Shami sent back Mitchell Marsh for four in the opening over.
However, David Warner and Steve Smith steadied the innings with a 94-run stand for the second wicket. Warner, who was dropped by Iyer off Shardul Thakur's bowling when he was on 14, went on to score a quick-fire 52. The left-hander hit six fours and two sixes in his 53-ball knock.
Warner was caught by Gill off Ravindra Jadeja's bowling.
Shami clean bowled Smith for 41 with the total on 112.
Marnus Labuschagne (39) was stumped by Rahul off R Ashwin's bowling.
Cameron Green was run out for 31.
Joshn Inglis (45) and Marcus Stoinis added 62 for the sixth wicket off 43 balls to lift Australia.
Shami was the pick of the Indian bowlers, while Thakur went for 78 in his 10 overs.
Ashwin claimed 1/47 off his 10 overs on his return to the ODI team, while Jadeja picked up 1/51 from his full quota.
The second ODI will be held in Indore on Sunday and the three-match series concludes in Rajkot on Wednesday.
