In the second one-day international, played on Sunday in Visakhapatnam, Australia’s Mitchell Starc decimated India’s batting order with five wickets, leveling their three-match series at one each.
Chasing 118 to win after Starc’s scorching performance earlier in the day yielded 5-53 for his eighth five-wicket haul in ODIs, Australia sailed home in just 11 overs to set up an exciting conclusion in Chennai on Wednesday.
Mitchell Marsh’s fiery 66-ball undefeated innings, which featured six sixes, and Travis Head’s 51 runs off the bat helped the tourists cross the finish line.
“There were just 37 overs in the entire game. Steve Smith, the captain of Australia, stated, “You don’t see that very frequently. “Our bowlers, in my opinion, were exceptional.
With the fresh ball, Starc in particular, swung it back down the line and placed them under immediate pressure. He blended in pretty well with the other members of our bowling team.
India was put in to bat by Australia, who struck quickly when Starc had Shubman Gill caught at point for a duck with a wider ball in the first over. A little while later, the left-armer also got rid of Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav with back-to-back balls.
Having missed India’s five-wicket victory in the first game of the series owing to family obligations, the skipper Rohit was caught at slip for 13 and the explosive Suryakumar was bowled out by the next delivery, leaving India in danger at 32-3 after five overs.
KL Rahul had a return to form in the last game with an unbeaten 75, but he was bowled out by Starc’s quick inswinger, and Hardik Pandya soon followed him in the pavilion courtesy to Smith’s outstanding catch.
On a pitch that provided the fast bowlers some early swing and bounce, the Australia skipper sprinted to his right to pull off a one-handed miracle at slip in Sean Abbott’s second over as the visitors lost half their side for 49.
After playing some conservative cricket, India lost Virat Kohli after Nathan Ellis bowled him for 31 runs in the 16th over. The paceman then bowled Ravindra Jadeja for 16, ending any chance of a late comeback for the hosts.
India was held to their lowest ODI total ever against Australia at home after Abbott dismissed Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Shami. Axar Patel (29 not out) then dragged Starc for two massive sixes, but the spinner also rattled Mohammed Siraj’s stumps.
It is discouraging. After India’s worst loss in terms of balls left, Rohit observed, “We didn’t apply ourselves with the bat and didn’t play to our capabilities.
“We have always known that was insufficient runs. It was not at all a 117 pitch. Bowler Starc is of high caliber. He has been performing it for Australia with the new ball for years. We continued to lose to his might as he continued to bowl.
