Australia vs India 2020, 2nd ODI, Report - Fifties From Virat Kohli And KL Rahul Go In Vain As Australia Seal Series

Australia clinched the three-match ODI series against India in yet another high-scoring game in Sydney as half-centuries from Virat Kohli and KL Rahul went in vain. Steve Smith, who batted at number three on both the occasions, was yet again the chief tormentor as his 64-ball 104 lifted the hosts to an imposing 390. There were also half-centuries from Aaron Finch, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, and Glenn Maxwell.

It was Australia, who won the toss once more, electing to bat first, and making the most of it. David Warner and Aaron Finch stitched a 100 plus hand, laying the foundation for Steve Smith to go berserk. Steve Smith joined hands with Marnus Labuschagne and played aggressively after the openers’ departure, adding 136 for the fourth wicket. The former Australian captain handled all three pacers pristinely well, reaching his fifty off 38 deliveries and hundred off 62 balls again.

It was Hardik Pandya, who bowled after almost 16 months, dismissed Smith for 104; however, the others accelerated. Marnus Labuschagne, who scored 70 underrated runs, had only five boundaries and allowed Glenn Maxwell to bat freely. The Indian fielders and bowlers once again lacked the energy while there were misfields at a lot of junctures, permitting Australia to hammer the highest ODI total against them.

Mayank Agarwal and Shikhar Dhawan yet again start strongly for India:

Mayank Agarwal and Shikhar Dhawan yet again began briskly for India, adding 58 inside eight overs. However, consecutive wickets of the openers pegged them back slightly. But Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer played exceptionally well during their 93-run stand amid some nervous moments. It was Smith yet again, who leapt at mid-wicket to dismiss Shreyas Iyer, who managed 38 runs at nearly a run a ball.

KL Rahul and Virat Kohli joined hands to keep India ticking with the required rate before Moises Henriques inspired Australia to the visiting captain’s wicket. Hazlewood’s length delivery yet again created problems for Kohli as he sliced in the air for Henriques to put a sensational dive to take the catch, perishing for 89 off 87 balls. From there on, the task became near insurmountable.

With KL Rahul’s departure, the visitors were staring down at the barrel as things disoriented quickly. Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya also tried their best when Mitchell Starc conceded 18 off his final over, proving India with a glimmer. Unfortunately, Pat Cummins dashed all their hopes with back to back wickets of Jadeja and Pandya. At the same time, the remaining task was a formality as the opposition fell 51 runs short alongside one wicket in the tank.

Also Read: Watch: Moises Henriques Takes A Blinder To Send Back Virat Kohli