Following a 10-wicket thrashing at Wankhede, India have bounced back in the ongoing three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Australia with a 36-run victory at the Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) Stadium in Rajkot on Friday (January 17). Chasing a competitive 341 that came on the back of half-centuries from Shikhar Dhawan, captain Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, Australia were bowled out for 304 in 49.1 overs.
In pursuit to a humongous total, Australia’s hopes were very much dependent on their power-packed openers – David Warner and captain Aaron – who were the centurions in the last game. But on this occasion, Finch failed to get going early and Warner had to depart for just 15 thanks to a stunner from Manish Pandey, who picked a one-handed catch at cover-point off Mohammed Shami. Then Ravindra Jadeja removed Finch for 33, thanks to brilliant stumping by Rahul, who wore the keeping gloves in this game in place of injured Rishabh Pant.
After those initial setbacks former captain Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne kept Australia in the game with a 96-run third wicket stand. The duo was playing freely and at one point threatened to take the game away from India. However, Jadeja brought home team back in the game with the wicket of Labuschagne, who fell four runs short of what would have been his maiden ODI fifty in his maiden ODI innings.
Smith, who was vital to Australia’s win, was looking solid, until he played one back onto the stumps off Kuldeep Yadav in the 38th over that pretty much was the final nail in the coffin for the tourists. Smith, who looked terrific in the middle, smashed nine boundaries and one six in his 102-ball 98.
After his dismissal there were only formalities left in the game and Indian seamers showed excellent execution of death bowling and finished the job in style.
Earlier, put into bat, Dhawan along with Rohit Sharma gave India a steady start and laid the foundation of a big score. The hosts knew that on flat Rajkot track a total close to 350 is required to put pressure on the Aussies.
Meanwhile, after the dismissal of Rohit (42) Dhawan and Kohli added 103 runs for the second wicket before Australia seemingly punctured the chase with two quick wickets in the middle overs. At 198 for 3, India seemed like losing the plot a little. But there was Rahul, who at No. 5 batted belligerently in the final overs to provide the hosts the finishing touch, they were looking for.
For Australia leg-spinner Adam Zampa bowled brilliantly to claim figures of 3 for 50 in his 10 overs.
The decider game of the series will be played at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday (January 19).
Brief scores:
India 340/6 in 50 overs (Shikhar Dhawan 96, KL Rahul 80, Virat Kohli 78; Adam Zampa 3/50, Kane Richardson 2/73) beat Australia 304 all out in 49.1 overs (Steve Smith 98, Marnus Labuschagne 46; Mohammed Shami 3/77, Ravindra Jadeja 2/58, Navdeep Saini 2/62, Kuldeep Yadav 2/65) by 36 runs.
Player of the match: KL Rahul