In a high-stakes clash against arch-rivals Australia in the 2023 ICC Men’s World Cup, India found themselves facing an unexpected and unwelcome challenge. Playing at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium, also known as Chepauk, on 8th October, Indian batters endured a forgettable opening match, marked by an unwanted record.
Chasing a modest target of 200 runs set by Australia, India’s top-order crumbled as all three of their openers – Ishan Kishan, captain Rohit Sharma, and Shreyas Iyer – were dismissed for a golden duck. This remarkable collapse etched their names in the record books as the first Indian openers to endure such a fate in a men’s One Day International (ODI) match.
To make matters worse, this marked the seventh instance in the history of the men’s ODI World Cup where both of a team’s openers returned to the pavilion with a zero on their scorecards. The last time India witnessed such a dismal performance was back in 2004 during the VB series against Zimbabwe.
The downfall of Indian openers began with Australia’s left-arm pacer, Mitchell Starc, delivering a crucial blow to Ishan Kishan in the fourth delivery of the first over. Kishan’s wicket, secured by Starc, set the tone for India’s early struggles.
The misery continued in the second over when Josh Hazlewood, Australia’s seamer, struck Rohit Sharma’s leg and appealed for an LBW (Leg Before Wicket) decision. Rohit’s attempted defense proved futile as the ball angled in sharply, resulting in him being caught in front of the stumps.
Following Rohit’s dismissal, Shreyas Iyer too fell victim to Hazlewood in the same over, caught by David Warner at short cover. With their top-order dismantled, India found themselves in a precarious position.
Despite the early setbacks, India displayed resilience as both Virat Kohli and KL Rahul managed to secure their half-centuries. At the end of 28 overs, India had reached a score of 116/3, offering a glimmer of hope for a comeback in what had started as a disastrous match.
As the battle against Australia in the 2023 ICC Men’s World Cup continued, Indian fans hoped for a spirited recovery, knowing that their team’s fate in the tournament rested on the performances to come.
