Rohit Sharma’s 73 and Shreyas Iyer’s 61 went in vain as Australia defeated India by two wickets in the second ODI at the Adelaide Oval, sealing the three-match series 2-0 with a game to spare. After opting to field, Australia chased down the 265-run target with nearly four overs remaining, leaving Indian fans disappointed.
India’s fight falls short despite fifties
Rohit and Iyer stitched together a crucial 118-run partnership for the third wicket after India’s slow start. Axar Patel added a handy 44 off 41 balls, and tail-enders Harshit Rana (24*) and Arshdeep Singh (13) helped India cross 250. However, the middle-order collapse saw India slump from 160/3 to 226/8, thanks to leg-spinner Adam Zampa (4/60) and seamer Xavier Bartlett (3/39).
Kohli registers another duck
Captain Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli, dismissed for a duck for the second consecutive time in the series, fell early in the powerplay, putting India on the back foot once again. The senior batters’ failure underlined concerns over India’s top-order consistency in the series.
Connolly and Short steer Aussies home
For Australia, Matthew Short’s 74 and Cooper Connolly’s unbeaten 61 guided the chase. Mitchell Owen (36) and Matt Renshaw (30) provided valuable support, ensuring the required run rate remained manageable. Cooper Connolly’s calm finish helped the hosts seal the series and leave India struggling with back-to-back defeats.
Indian fans react with disappointment
With consecutive losses in Perth and Adelaide, fans expressed frustration over India’s poor selections and lack of intent, while questions around the team’s middle-order and finishing ability intensified ahead of upcoming series.
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