IND vs AUS 2019, 2nd ODI, Nagpur - Twitter Reacts as Virat, Spinners Guide Hosts Home in Tense-Clash

India had taken a two-nil lead in the five-match ODIs against Australia – courtesy an eight-run win in the second ODI in Nagpur. The India captain, Virat Kohli starred with the bat – scoring 116 off 120, collecting ten boundaries. For the Aussies, it was their star bowler, Pat Cummins, who picked four wickets in the first innings. In the second innings, the spinners took the onus on themselves – picking up five wickets in total. Meanwhile, it was Shankar and Bumrah in the end who had picked four wickets to see their team home.

Virat hits 40th ODI hundred; Pat Cummins picks four wickets

The India captain, Virat Kohli registered his 40th ODI hundred against Australia in the Nagpur ODI. Meanwhile, earlier, India batted first after losing the toss. Though Kohli, at the toss had said he would have fancied batting first; India didn’t get off to a good start – as they lost Rohit Sharma in the first over. Shikhar Dhawan, who had been running out of form, scored 21 runs before falling to Glenn Maxwell. Ambati Rayudu also returned to the pavilion early left India in a state of worry.

However, the management’s choice of sending Vijay Shankar at five worked – as the all-rounder a brilliant 45 off 41 balls. As he was approaching his maiden ODI fifty, a straight shot off Kohli saw him getting run-out. A few overs later, Adam Zampa struck twice – picking Kedar Jadhav and MS Dhoni on successive balls.

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Virat Kohli then took the onus on himself and bailed India out a dire situation. Joined by Ravindra Jadeja, Kohli completed his 40th ODI ton – helping India reach a modest total of 250 in the end. For the Aussies, Pat Cummins stood out as the difference, as he picked four wickets off 29 runs in nine overs.

Spinners kept the Oz on Bay in Nagpur

For India, the spinners did the job after the new-ball bowlers went for runs. As Australia was chasing a total below par, they began well. More importantly for them, captain Aaron Finch found some runs off his bat – scoring 37 off 53 balls. Though he and Usman Khawaja scored 83 for the first wicket, the pair of Kuldeep Yadav and Jadhav gave India breakthroughs in their name. Later, Ravindra Jadeja picked returning Shaun Marsh to stop the run-rate. Meanwhile, Kuldeep gave India their best wicket of the man in form, Glenn Maxwell – cleaning his wickets on four.

The middle-order duo of Peter Handscomb and Marcus Stoinis began the rescue work. As the overs progressed, they looked to settle before a direct throw of Jadeja caught Peter short of his crease on 48. Carey, who provided some handy contributions from his hand got out to Kuldeep. In a while, Bumrah picked two wickets – leaving the Aussies in some worry.

Marcus Stoinis, Aussies’ last hope scored a fifty in the game as well. However, Shankar had him plumb in the final over on 52. Eventually, he was the one who handed India a win in the tense clash.

Here is how the twitter reacted –

Brilliant century from Virat , outstanding death over bowling from Bumrah and Vijay Shankar holding his nerves really well in the end. Bahut badhiya jeet. #INDvAUS

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) March 5, 2019

No more Doubting Thomases for Vijay Shankar now #IndvAus

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) March 5, 2019

Thanks to Karan johar..for producing an all-rounder named Vijay shankar

— veeramallu srinivas (@SriTnku1) March 5, 2019

After this masterclass show Vijay Shankar to me has booked a ticked for the World Cup.. He has boarded the flight ✈️ for England!! #INDvsAUS #STARSPORT

— Ashish sharma (@ashishonline18) March 5, 2019

https://twitter.com/Mini_lama/status/1102962889114021888

https://twitter.com/AdiiiTea/status/1102962900371566592

Vijay shankar last over is like #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/TMRcNSMhi2

— ROHIT (@Rohitchawla89) March 5, 2019

कल शिवरात्रि थी…
आज शंकर रात्रि हैं…#INDvAUS

— Akhil Gupta ? (@Guptastats92) March 5, 2019

Every Indian to Vijay Shankar right now#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/5dH68EJzuc

— ARJUNXDD (@Arjunxdd) March 5, 2019

With this victory in the final over Vijay shankar has earned a spot in the WC Squad! ?#INDvAUS

— Shubham Taranekar (@Sarricastic) March 5, 2019

Vijay Shanker ?????????????????????????????????

— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) March 5, 2019

Well played 50 from @MStoinis ?????

— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) March 5, 2019

Bumrah just finds a way to get into the game. Kohli with the ball?

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 5, 2019

Honestly, I'm admiring every bit of "Dhonism" in the 2nd innings! Genius himself❤#INDvAUS

— Abegowri (@Abegowri17) March 5, 2019

Whatever is the end result…exactly the kind of matches both these teams need before the WC ?#INDvAUS (and yes Aussies are right up there)

— sap (@sapcric) March 5, 2019

Poised for a nail-biting finish!

Who's winning this one, Royals? #INDvAUS #HallaBol pic.twitter.com/RJi8xq2jgQ

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) March 5, 2019

https://twitter.com/AskRishabh/status/1102952907987656704

#KuldeepYadav is gonna be a powerful weapon to #TeamIndia in this WC???

MINDichBLOWING bowling style
?⚾️?#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/Lxpz4VDNr3

— M A N I S H A (@DiscoverManisha) March 5, 2019

Vijay Shankar is Kohli's joker in the pack.

— cricBC (@cricBC) March 5, 2019