NE SPORTS BUREAU
RAJKOT, JAN 17
India bounced back in a stellar fashion after the ten-wicket drubbing in the first One Day International to defeat Australia by 36 runs in the second ODI of the ongoing three-match series at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on Friday.
After going wicketless in the series-opener, Indian bowlers made a strong come back as they packed Australia for 304 in their chase of 341 runs.
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Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers for India as the premier pacer showed why he is regarded as one of the best bowlers in the world. Bumrah displayed impeccable precision and maintained good line and length throughout his spell to restrict the run flow. He bowled two maidens and finished with figures of 1/32 in his 9.1 overs. Despite not bagging just one wicket, Bumrah was key bowler for India in restricting Australia.
Bumrah was well supported by Mohammed Shami, who missed out on a hat-trick but took three important wickets of David Warner, Ashton Turner and Pat Cummins.
Navdeep Saini, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja also chipped in with two wickets each. Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne once looked in terrific touch and added a 96-run stand for the third wicket but after the duo’s departure, Australia’s lower-middle order collapsed.
Smith continued his fine form with the willow and slammed a brilliant 98 off 102 balls before being dismissed by Kuldeep to fall short of his century by just 2 runs. Chasing a big target of 341 runs, Australia got off to a shaky start as they lost opener David Warner (15) cheaply before Smith and Aaron Finch (33) added 62 runs for the second wicket.
Smith then posted another big partnership with Labuschagne to put Australia on the course of victory. However, Labuschagne was dismissed by Jadeja. As the left-arm spinner broke the crucial stand between him and Smith to pull things back for India. Smith soon followed suit and what followed was a complete annihilation of the Australian tail by the Indian pacers.
Earlier, India was put in a commanding position in the match after a brilliant batting performance. Shikhar Dhawan once again top-scored for the Men in Blue with a stupendous knock of 96 runs off 90 balls as he missed his century by a whisker. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul then played two marvellous knocks of 78 and 80 runs each to power India to a big total of 340 runs.
It was a stellar all-round performance from India to bounce back and level the series 1-1. The two teams to play the third ODI at Bengaluru.
