In an impressive display of all-around excellence, Team India secured a commanding victory over Australia in the second ODI, clinching the three-match series with a game in hand.
Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and Suryakumar Yadav spearheaded India's batting onslaught, while the spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja spun a web around the Australian batsmen during a rain-affected run chase.
Indian opener Shubman Gill and the number three batter, Shreyas Iyer, both notched up centuries during their remarkable 200-run partnership for the second wicket. Their explosive batting set the stage for a relentless assault in the later stages of the innings, with Suryakumar Yadav's explosive 72* off just 37 balls propelling India to a formidable total of nearly 400 runs.
Notably, Gill and Iyer weren't the sole centurions in India's high-scoring innings. The entire Indian batting lineup, led by the dynamic Suryakumar Yadav, took apart Australia's bowler Cameron Green, who ended up conceding 103 runs in his ten overs.
Captain KL Rahul and wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan also joined the fireworks, showcasing aggressive stroke-play and helping Team India amass a colossal total of 399-5 in their allotted 50 overs. Australia managed to take a few wickets, with pacers Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott, along with spinner Adam Zampa, each claiming one scalp.
Australia's chase began on a rocky note, thanks to India's new-ball pacer Prasidh Krishna, who dismissed Matthew Short and star batter Steve Smith in successive deliveries in his first over. Krishna's exceptional start was further backed up by the spin wizardry of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
Although David Warner managed to dazzle with a brilliant half-century, smashing seven boundaries and a six in his 39-ball 53, he eventually fell victim to Ashwin's spin, leaving Australia at 100-4 in their pursuit of a monumental target.
Rain interruptions forced a revision of Australia's target to 317 runs in 33 overs. However, Ashwin and Jadeja continued to torment the visitors, reducing them to 140-8 in just 20.4 overs. Sean Abbott, batting at number eight, put on a brief show with a scintillating 54 off 36 balls, but it only served to narrow Australia's margin of defeat to 99 runs.
With the series firmly in India's grasp, the two cricketing powerhouses will face off in a dead-rubber match in Rajkot on September 27, marking the conclusion of their pre-World Cup 2023 preparations.
Match Summary:
India: 399-5 (50 overs)
Shreyas Iyer 105 (90), Shubman Gill 104 (97)
Cameron Green 2-103 (10 overs), Josh Hazlewood 1-62 (10 overs)
Australia: 217 (28.2 overs)
Sean Abbott 54 (36), David Warner 53 (39)
Ravichandran Ashwin 3-41 (7 overs), Ravindra Jadeja 3-42 (5.2 overs)
India won by 99 runs (DLS method), taking a 2-0 lead in the series.
