KL Rahul struck 51 at the top of the order as India beat Australia by 11 runs in the first T2oI in Canberra on Friday.
Needing to show a response after losing the recent ODI series, Virat Kohli’s men looked determined to make a strong start to the campaign.
After being sent in to bat by Australian skipper Aaron Finch, Rahul got the ball rolling for the visitors despite the early wickets of Shikhar Dhawan and Kohli.
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Rahul, who was brilliant for the Kings XI Punjab in the IPL, was scoring freely and brought up a brilliant half-century before departing for 51 off a Moises Henriques delivery.
All-rounder Ravi Jadeja made 44 off only 23 deliveries down the order as India posted 161-7 in their 20 overs.
Controversy struck, however, when it was announced by the BCCI that Jadeja was replaced by Yuzvendra Chahal after the interval as a concussion substitution.
Jadeja had gone down during his innings after being struck to the head by a quick Mitchell Starc delivery before getting back up to his feet and finishing his team’s innings.
That left Australian coach Justin Langer fuming as he confronted match referee David Boon, saying the correct process wasn’t followed for the substitution.
In reply, though, Finch and fellow opener D’Arcy Short made a solid start for the hosts – racing to 56-0 before Chahal picked up the wicket of Finch.
Steve Smith added 12 and Glen Maxwell only 2 as the Indian bowlers gave their team the upper hand in the game.
Short departed soon after for 34 as Chahal and T Natarajan swept though the Aussie middle order that saw them end their innings on 150-7.
