India have been working hard on fitness and it showed: Rahul

After just the sixth over of the day, Mohammed Shami was seen evidently struggling with the heat in Mohali. That was the first sign for team India that it was going to be a long day in the field, with just five bowling options in the playing XI. 

It also put a lot of pressure on the bowlers to be at their best fitness levels, including Ravichandran Ashwin, who returned for the first time in a year in the 50-over format for the country. India’s stand-in skipper, KL Rahul, insisted that the first few overs were really tough and ‘physically challenging’ for the team. 

“I think the intensity in the afternoon was great, after Colombo this felt like heaven in the start but it was really hot and humid. It gets tough and physically challenging, but we've all worked on our fitness and that's showing on the field,” Rahul insisted in the post-match presentation.

“We only played five bowlers, so they had to bowl 10 overs,” he added.

With the bat, India got off to the best start possible, with Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shubman Gill combining to score 142 runs for the first wicket. Despite losing quick wickets in the middle overs, Rahul’s composure alongside Suryakumar Yadav (50) ensured that India got to an easy win in the end. 

“After Shubman got out, it was a bit tricky with the set batter out. But managed to build a good partnership with Surya, need to put myself in such challenging situations. We kept talking about hitting good cricket shots, rotating the strike and this is something all our batters are working on,” he added. 

Mohammed Shami’s bowling display tilted the game in India’s favour. Shami removed an in-form Mitchell Marsh early on in the innings and came back to dismiss Steve Smith in a crunch situation for the country. 

During his last spell, Shami removed the trio of Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Short and Sean Abbott to complete a second five-wicket haul. 

“It depends on the captain and the game situation, but despite the heat you feel like bowling 4-5 overs with the new ball. I enjoyed the wicket of Marsh, that's a different feeling when you get the outside edge, when you control your swing nicely,” Shami talked about his spell. 

“It was important to hit the right lengths on this wicket, either at full pace or go slow, but bowling the right lengths were key,” he added.

India take a 1-0 lead in the series, with the second ODI between the two sides set to be played on September 24 (Sunday) in Indore.