Was this deja vu ? A confident side led by Ricky Ponting, containing aggressive openers intimidating the opposition bowlers, stable middle order batsmen laying the platform to launch a run fest at the end of innings, and then big hitters ending it in style posting an imposing total on board ! Its all these things which made them dominate world cricket for over a decade, and the Australian side today displayed every bit of it.
After winning the toss and deciding to bat first, David Warner and Mathew Wade gave Australia a brilliant start, scoring at a brisk rate. The bowl was swinging in the early part of the innings but the Aussie openers made sure there were no early casualties. After the initial movement disappeared, the openers started to take advantage of the good batting conditions at the GABBA. What was shocking to see was Umesh Yadav being brought into attack in the 22nd over. Being the only express-fast bowler in the side, he should have been bowling with the new ball when the ball was moving around. Dhoni had probably missed a trick, and Australians made merry of this fact. After giving the Australians a speedy start, Warner (43) went down to Irfan Pathan in the 13th over with Australia at 70/1. Meanwhile, Ponting’s bad form in the ODI series continued as he fell for his 5th consecutive single digit score, a new record. Mathew Wade and Peter Forrest started to bring the Asutralian innings back on track after two quick wickets, as both played cautiously scoring singles and doubles taking least risk. Mathew Wade (45) was caught and bowled in the 28th over to Rohit Sharma as he tried to score some quick runs of the part-timer off spinner. 
Both Peter Forrest and Michael Hussey raised the scoring tempo and strung a 100 run partnership in just 93 balls to set up a perfect platform for David Hussey and Daniel Christian to end the innings on a high. Both Forrest and Mike Hussey fell to Irfan Pathan in the 44th over for 52 and 59 respectively. With 6 overs in their hand, David Hussey and Daniel Christian had no time to get their eye in, and had to hit the ground running. Both did little harm to their reputation as both David Hussey (24*) and Christian (30*)bludgeoned the Indian bowling scoring 65 runs in the 6 overs they had. Australia had piled up 288/5 on board and India had a difficult task at their hands.
Indian bowling was out of sorts in the end overs, as Vinay Kumar and Irfan Pathan leaked runs. India once again would repent their decision of going in with four fast bowlers, as none impressed significantly. Irfan Pathan was expensive but picked up 3 wickets to end with 61/3 in 10 overs. Zaheer Khan was economical as he gave away just 46 runs picking up Ponting’s wicket. Suresh Raina was surprisingly made to bowl a whole lo of 10 overs, as he walked away by giving just 44 runs.
288 was always going to be difficult to get, but we all know India have the batting to do it. Provided, they treated the new bowlers with respect. But as I mentioned, it was possible only if they played the new ball well. India failed to do that, as they tried to beat the Australian opening bowlers with aggression. Result, India 16/3 in 6 overs. Although Gautam Gambhir (5) got a beauty from Brett Lee, Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma were in charity mood as they gifted their wickets. Tendulkar tried the so called ‘upper cut’ just moments after he was dropped in the same area by same fielder. Xavier Doherty made little mistake this time as Tendulkar had to leave after scoring mere 3 runs. Rohit Sharma continued to be lazy as he tried a glamorous square cut on a bouncy wicket, only to be caught for a duck. Kohli (12) failed again, as he fell victim to a sharp low catch by David Hussey in the slips. India was struggling at 36/4 and certainly had no answer to the moving new ball.
If only they could have treated the new ball with some respect, things could have been different ! Raina (28) and Dhoni (56) tried to resurrect the India innings, but in vain. India were playing an already lost game, only to finally realize in the 44th over that they had actually lost it. There was little to talk about Indian batting, which went for an attractive chase and ended up 110 runs short of the Aussie target. Dhoni once again was in the runs, but never really looked like pulling of a win again tonight. But, Dhoni was still the only Indian batsman to get his eye in, and scored another 50. Hopefully, his time in the middle tonight will help India in their next match against Sri lanka here at Brisbane.
Australia was amazing as the bowling side, vintage bowler Brett Lee troubled Indian batsmen with his speed to end with 49/3. 
Ben Hilfenhaus, who is back in side for the ill Clint McKay, continued to haunt Indian batsmen after his test series heroics, as he finished with 33/5.
Australia are now back on top of points table with 14 points, as India is on 10 points and Sri Lanka on 7 points. Though India and Sri Lanka have played a game less. India can’t afford to lose their momentum now as another defeat would dent their chances of making it to the final big time. India play Sri Lanka on 21 February, at Brisbane. Live match broadcast on Star Cricket from 8:50 IST.
Brief Score : AUSTRALIA : 288/5 in 50 overs (Forrest 59, M.Hussey 52 ; I.Pathan 61/3)
BEAT INDIA : 178/10 in 43.3 overs (Dhoni 56,Raina 28 ; Hilfenhaus 33/5) BY 110 RUNS
Man of the Match : Ben Hilfenhaus.
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