Adelaide Oval witnessed a nail-biter on October 23 as Australia held their nerve to defeat India by two wickets in the second ODI, sealing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Chasing 265, the hosts finished at 265/8 in 46.2 overs, with 22 balls to spare. Matthew Short’s 74 off 78 balls and an unbeaten 61 from Cooper Connolly proved decisive, steering Australia through a tense finish and keeping their hopes of a clean sweep alive.
The brilliant Short-Connolly partnership was the backbone of Australia’s innings. After losing wickets at regular intervals, their calm and calculated approach stabilized the chase. Short’s crisp strokeplay and Connolly’s ability to rotate the strike kept the scoreboard ticking. India fought hard in the final overs, with Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh picking up crucial wickets and mounting pressure, but the visitors could not force a collapse.
India had earlier posted a competitive total of 264/9 in their allotted 50 overs. Rohit Sharma led the charge with a composed 73, while Shreyas Iyer provided solid support with 61. Axar Patel’s 44-run contribution in the middle overs and Harshit Rana’s late blitz of 24 runs helped India push past the 260-run mark, setting a challenging target for the hosts. Despite these efforts, India’s bowlers struggled to maintain pressure, with early breakthroughs failing to halt the momentum of Australia’s chase.
The win not only gave Australia an unassailable 2-0 series lead but also showcased their ability to chase under pressure and manage high-stakes situations effectively. The third ODI in Sydney on October 26 now becomes a dead rubber, offering India a chance to salvage pride while Australia eyes a clean sweep.
This series has highlighted the razor-thin margins in modern international cricket, where composure, timely partnerships, and decisive big-hitting can turn the game around. Fans were treated to a thrilling contest packed with tension, resilience, and moments of brilliance, making the Adelaide Oval clash a memorable chapter in this India-Australia ODI series.
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