India made the perfect start to their Cricket World Cup campaign as they survived a top-order collapse to ease to a six-wicket win over Australia.
Virat Kohli (85) and KL Rahul (97 not out) shone for the hosts, as India eventually cruised to the target of 200 with 52 balls remaining in Chennai.
Australia struggled to ever really get going as they batted first, David Warner and Steve Smith both making scores in the 40s but failing to go on and make the big scores they needed.
Ravindra Jadeja took the wickets of Smith and Marnus Labuschagne (27) to leave India in a strong position. Jadeja then dismissed Alex Carey lbw before Jasprit Bumrah took the wicket of Mitchell Marsh for a duck and skipper Pat Cummins.
India stuttered in response when openers Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan were both out for nought during a dream start for Starc and Josh Hazlewood, who claimed the dismissals.
But Kohli and Rahul steadied the ship after Shreyas Iyer also went for a duck, leaving India three wickets down with just two runs on the board, as the pair began knocking off the runs, hitting 16 boundaries between them. It could have been a very different story though, had Mitch Marsh held on to a catch after Kohli top edged a bouncer from Hazlewood.
Labuschagne finally forced another error out of Kohli, who was caught by Hazlewood for 85 off 116 balls, but the damage had been done with a partnership of 165 and India’s victory become a matter of if not when.
Hardik Pandya came in and managed 11 not out, with Rahul running out of time to reach his century as India made a early statement in their bid to become world champions again.
