Australia edge past India to seal ODI series in Adelaide

NDC Sports Desk

Adelaide, October 23,

Australia clinched a narrow two-wicket victory over the India team in the second ODI of the three-match series, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead.

Sent in to bat after winning the toss, India made a respectable 264 for 9 in their 50 overs. Former skipper Rohit Sharma anchored the innings with 73 off 97 balls, while Shreyas Iyer chipped in with a fluent 61 from 77 deliveries. All-rounder Axar Patel added a useful 44 off 41 toward the end to bolster the total.

However, it wasn’t an entirely smooth innings: the much-anticipated form return of Virat Kohli hit a snag as he was dismissed for a golden duck, following his duck in the previous encounter.

Australia’s reply had its tense moments. They reached 265 for 8 in 46.2 overs to clinch victory. The backbone of the chase was laid by Matthew Short (74 off 78) and the youngster Cooper Connolly, unbeaten on 61 (53 balls), whose calm finish under pressure proved decisive.
On the bowling front, Australia’s leg-spinner Adam Zampa was pivotal, claiming 4-60 in his 10 overs.

India looked comfortable when Rohit and Iyer stitched a solid opening stand, but momentum waned as wickets fell in clusters.

The Adelaide pitch offered good batting after the early overs, though there was some initial assistance as noted in pitch reports.

During Australia’s chase, regular wickets kept the hosts in check, but the Short-Connolly partnership steadied the ship.

India’s bowling, despite some bright patches, failed to deliver the breakthroughs when needed most.

With this win, Australia have sealed the series with one match to spare—an indication of their growing edge in the white-ball format against India on Australian soil. India, on the other hand, will now head into the third ODI under pressure, needing a strong performance to salvage pride.