India were outplayed by Australia in the tri-series opener here yesterday in a rain-affected match reduced to 32 overs a side.


MS Dhoni reacts to R Ashwin's run out yesterday. Pic/AFP

The batting woes for the visitors continued as they were cleaned up for 151 in response to Australia's imposing 216 for five at the back of some power-hitting by Matthew Wade (67) and David Hussey (61).

India once again came short against a potent Australian attack led on the day by Clint McKay (4-20).

But it was left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc (2-33) who did the early damage and once again was too hot for the Indian batters.

Virat Kohli (31) and Rohit Sharma (21), rated as the future of Indian cricket, provided brief resistance with a counter-attack before McKay got rid of them in the same over to make it 65 for four.

Earlier, Wade struck 67 while Hussey's 61 off 30 balls spurred Australia to 216 for five from a struggling 35 for two in 11 overs before intermittent rain stopped play for around three hours.

Skipper Dhoni took a potshot at his batsmen for failing to put runs on the board. "It's not only the bowlers. We need to bat as well. There was a moment when we had a good stand going.

There's a moment between 10-20 overs, if you don't lose a wicket, you can chase down a 200-plus total. We did not have any substantial partnerships (in our run chase).

If only we could have built the partnership of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. And, we did not get off to a good start in the chase," he said. ufffd Agencies