India's Rahul secures nervy opening ODI win against Australia

MUMBAI : India's middle-order batter KL Rahul struck an unbeaten 75 to anchor their nervy chase against Australia in a low-scoring contest and secure a five-wicket win in the opening one-day international on Friday.

Chasing 189 for victory on a spicy pitch, India slumped to 39-4 but Rahul's unbroken 108-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja guided them home with 10.1 overs to spare.

Earlier, India's bowlers, complemented by some excellent catching, bundled out Australia for 188 inside 36 overs at the Wankhede Stadium.

Mitchell Marsh, returning to international cricket after ankle surgery, smashed 81 off 65 balls but his exit triggered a collapse.

With India's regular captain Rohit Sharma absent due to family commitments, Hardik Pandya won the toss and elected to field at the Wankhede Stadium.

By the second over, India had drawn first blood.

Travis Head, who made five, charged out against Mohammed Siraj but ended up deflecting the ball onto his stumps.

Marsh steadied the ship with a 72-run stand with Steve Smith, who is leading Australia in the absence of Pat Cummins who stayed back in Sydney following the death of his mother.

David Warner also missed the match through injury though Australia expect the opener to play in the next two ODIs.

Smith made 22 before Pandya removed him caught behind.

Marsh, in his first knock as an ODI opener, hit 10 fours and five sixes and Australia looked pretty comfortable at 129-2 in the 20th over before the wheels came off their innings.

Jadeja removed Marsh and took a stunning catch to send back Marnus Labuschagne (15) before Mohammed Shami's triple strike derailed Australia.

Josh Inglish (26), replacing an unwell Alex Carey at wicketkeeper, dragged the ball onto his stumps, Cameron Green (12) had his