Australia vs India ODI Series: 4 Reasons why India won the first ODI 

The Indian cricket team began the five match One Day International series on a positive note with a six-wicket win over Australia at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on Saturday. A disciplined effort by the Indian bowlers restricted the Australian team to a modest 236 for 7.

Despite losing four wickets for 99 runs, MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav's brilliant unbeaten partnership of 141 runs helped Team India win the match by six wickets and 10 balls to spare. This was the Indian team's last match before the 2019 World Cup.

Before this series, the Indian team won the ODI series in New Zealand, 4-1 and then won the three match series on Australian soil, 2-1; with Hardik Pandya ruled out of the ODI series against Australia due to an injury. The BCCI announced the Indian team for only the first two matches, with the team for the remaining three matches to be announced later.

With almost 12 players guaranteed to make it to the World Cup, this series provides a chance for other players to stake their claim for 2019 World Cup squad.

Here we look at the 4 reasons why India won the first ODI.

#1: Dismissing Australian captain Aaron Finch cheaply

The Australian captain Aaron Finch won the toss and decided to bat first in the first ODI. It was a dream start for the Indian team as Jasprit Bumrah dismissed him for 0 in the second over. In the 2019 ODI series against India at home, Aaron Finch did not score many runs and his poor form continued. He also was disappointing in two matches in the T20 series in the ongoing tour.

The Indian bowlers kept a lid on the scoring as Australia scored just 38 for one in the first 10 overs. Marcus Stoinis and Usman Khawaja could not put pressure on Indian bowling line up, even as the pitch proved difficult for stroke making.

#2. All round effort by Indian bowlers

Indian bowlers restrict Australia to 236 for 7 at end of 50 overs.

It was an all-round effort by the Indian bowlers to restrict Australia for a modest total of 236 for seven in 50 overs. After dismissing Aaron Finch cheaply, Marcus Stoinis and Usman Khawaja steadied the innings and added 87 runs for the second wicket to help Australia recover a bit. Despite another good partnership between Nathan Coulter-Nile and Alex Carey of 62 runs for the seventh wicket, India restricted Australia to a modest total of 236 for seven.

Kedar Jadhav took the big wicket of Marcus Stoinis for 37 runs, and Mohammed Shami continued his superb form with the ball picking two wickets while giving away only 44 runs. Jasprit Bumrah conceded 60 runs but picked another wicket of Coulter-Nile in death overs. Kuldeep Yadav was also economical with the ball taking two wickets for 46 runs.

#3: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma adding 76 runs for the second wicket

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma added 76 runs for the 2nd wicket.

Chasing the target of 237 runs to win, India lost an early wicket of Shikhar Dhawan for 0 runs but Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma steadied the innings. The Indian captain Virat Kohli looked in good touch scoring 44 off 45 balls and took on Australian bowlers until Adam Zampa struck to dismiss the Indian captain for 44.

The Indian team were 42 for one at the end of 10 overs as Sharma and Kohli added 76 runs for the second wicket. Both Indian batsmen showed their class to put pressure on Australian bowlers after another disappointing opening partnership between Dhawan and Sharma.

Kohli especially made the batting look easy as he hit six fours and one six in the innings which made it tough for the Australian bowlers.

#4: MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav's unbeaten 141 runs to guide India the win

Kedar Jadhav and MS Dhoni adding 141 runs for the 5th wicket.

India were reduced to 99 for 4 in the 24th over as Kedar Jadhav took the charge with some brilliant stroke play and took the pressure off from MS Dhoni. Dhoni steadied the innings and allowed Kedar Jadhav to play his natural game ignoring his seniority. The right-handed batsman reached his 50 off 67 balls and continued to take on Australian bowlers to remain not out on 81.

MS Dhoni continued his brilliant form of 2019 with another superb and responsible knock. He reached his 50 off 68 balls. Both added unbeaten runs of 141 for the fifth wicket. MS Dhoni also remained not out on 59. He hit a boundary in the 49th over with 10 balls to spare to get India a deserved victory in the match by six wickets which helped India take a 1-0 lead in series.