The visitors picked up a ten-wicket win with 39 overs to spare

Author: Soorya G

A dominant Australia subjected hosts India to a battering like no other as they wrapped up the second ODI at Vizag with hours to spare. A new-ball masterclass from veteran pacer Mitchell Starc left the Indian batting lineup in tatters, restricting the Indians to a lowly 117. Rohit Sharma’s return to the ODI side after missing the first game did not come as the positive that most expected it to be, albeit for no fault of the Indian skipper. 

Starc was just outstanding on the day, and served up some world-class pace bowling for the Indian crowd. Maestro Virat Kohli was the only one who could put up some resistance against his former RCB teammate’s barrage, but stuck true to his unusual habit of falling to the debutant, this time falling to Nathan Ellis for a 35-ball 31. 

There was not much more for the Indians to be pleased about, as the Aussie openers Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh slammed speedy half centuries to close out the game with 39 overs still to be bowled. Enhance your India-Australia rivalry viewing experience with attractive betting odds from NextBet.

Starc picked the wickets of four of India’s top five, Kohli being the only exception. Starc got Suryakumar Yadav out for a second straight golden duck, as an attempted flick over square leg resulted in the ball crashing into his pads. With Australia needed just 118 runs to win, Head and Marsh looked to be in a hurry to finish the job. 

The Australian openers went after the Indian bowlers from the get go, hammering each of the pace bowlers. The duo both got to half-centuries in quick time, batting at 11 runs an over to have the game done and dusted with 234 deliveries to go. Mitchell Starc deservedly received the Man of the match award for his outstanding spell of 5/53, as the two teams head into the decider at the M Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. 

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma will be keen to get over this setback and pick up a series win over the mighty Aussies come Wednesday. Follow all updates from Australia’s tour of India on NextBet Sports.

Brief Scores

India 117 All Out in 26 Overs (Kohli 31, Axar 29*; Starc 5/53)

Australia 121/0 in 11 Overs (Marsh 66*, Head 51*)

Australia won by 10 wickets. Series level on 1-1.