Ruthless Australia have clinched the three match ODI series against India at Sydney. They took a commanding 2-0 lead as they won the second day/ night encounter by yet another convincing margin of 51 runs . The teams now play the third ODI in Canberra with Australia aiming for 3-0, while India will hope to restore some pride with a win.
For the second time Aaron Finch won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first. Along within-form David warner, skipper Finch began slowly and later opened up beautifully. The duo put on yet another superb opening stand of 142 to give the Aussies the platform for a massive total . Warner was run out for a aggressive 83, Finch scored a fine 60 . In blazing form Steve Smith began where he left off with another majestic hundred this time a superb 104 off 64 balls. It a brilliant back-to back hundred. He had scored 105 off 66 in the first. Australia next big star in the making Marnus Labuschagne hit a superb 70 off 61 balls. A finishing the Aussie inning with a blistering cameo was Glenn Maxwell with a unbeaten 63 off 29 balls. Australia finishing with a mammoth 389/4. Their previous target was 374 in the first ODI.
Indian bowling flopped yet again and the figures told the story . Jasprit Bumrah looked out of sorts. His yorkers missing so too was line and length. Bumrah had sorry figures of 1/79 (10 overs) , Mohammed Shami 1/73 ( 9 overs), Navdeep Saini was hammered 0/70 ( 7 overs) , Yuzvendra Chahal 0/71 ( 9 overs), Ravindra Jadeja 0/60 ( 10 overs), Hardik Pandya bowling for the first time since September 2019 bowled four overs with figures of 1/24.
The chase was no doubt a tough one for India for the second consecutive match . Shikhar Dhawan and Mayank Agarwal put on 58 for the first wicket when Dhawan fell for 30. Agarwal soon followed for 28. Unlike the previous one , skipper Virat Kohli was watchful this time and settled down to play fine innings of 89. He out to a brilliant catch by Henriques off Hazelwood. Shreyas Iyer scored 38. K L Rahul a power packed 76 , Hardik pandya 28, Ravinda Jadeja 25. The target of 390 was just too much for India . India managed to scored 338/9 in their 50 overs. Going down by 51 runs.
For Australia the biggest worry is the form of Mitchell Starc. For the second game in a row he has struggled. His figures were dismal 0/82 ( 9 overs). Starc’s failures were made up by Josh Hazelwood 2/59 ( 9 overs), Pat Cummins 3/67 ( 10 overs), Adam Zampa 2/62 ( 10 overs), Moises Henriques 1/34 ( 7 overs0, Glenn Maxwell 1/34 ( 5 overs)
