Team India had taken a 2-0 lead in the five-match ODIs against Australia as they have registered an eight-run win in the second ODI in Nagpur. The India skipper, Virat Kohli starred with the bat as he scored 116 runs off 120 deliveries, collecting ten boundaries. For the Aussies, it was their star bowler, Pat Cummins, who picked four wickets in the first innings. In the second innings, the Indian spinners took the onus on themselves – picking up five wickets in total. Meanwhile, it was Shankar and Bumrah in the end who had picked four wickets to see their team home.
Kohli registered his 40th ODI century against Australia in the Nagpur ODI. Meanwhile, earlier, India batted first after losing the toss. Though Kohli, at the toss had said he would have fancied batting first; India didn’t get off to a good start – as they lost Rohit Sharma in the first over. Shikhar Dhawan, who had been running out of form, scored 21 runs before falling to Glenn Maxwell. Ambati Rayudu also returned to the pavilion early left India in a state of worry.
However, the management’s choice of sending Vijay Shankar at five did wonders for the team as he scored 45 off 41 balls. As he was approaching his maiden ODI fifty, a straight shot off Kohli saw him getting run-out. A few overs later, Adam Zampa struck twice – picking Kedar Jadhav and MS Dhoni on successive deliveries.
WATCH – MS Dhoni Almost Pulls Out A Wicket Out Of Nowhere
Virat Kohli then took the onus on himself and bailed India out a dire situation. Joined by Ravindra Jadeja, Kohli completed his 40th ODI ton – helping India reach a modest total of 250 in the end. For the Aussies, Cummins stood out as the difference, as he picked four wickets off 29 runs in nine overs.
During the chase, the spinners did the job as Australia was chasing a total below par, they began well. More importantly for them, skipper Aaron Finch found some runs off his bat – scoring 37 off 53 balls. Though he and Usman Khawaja scored 83 for the first wicket, the pair of Kuldeep Yadav and Jadhav gave India breakthroughs in their name. Later, Ravindra Jadeja sent back Shaun Marsh to stop the run-rate. Meanwhile, Kuldeep gave India their best wicket of the man in form, Glenn Maxwell – cleaning his wickets on four.
The middle-order duo of Peter Handscomb and Marcus Stoinis began the rescue work. As the overs progressed, they looked to settle before a direct throw of Jadeja caught Peter short of his crease on 48. Carey, who provided some handy contributions from his hand got out to Kuldeep. In a while, Bumrah picked two wickets – leaving the Aussies in some worry.
WATCH – Brilliant Run-out Pulled Out By Ravindra Jadeja
Marcus Stoinis, Aussies’ last hope scored a fifty in the game as well. However, Shankar had him plumb in the final over on 52. Eventually, he was the one who handed India a win in the tense clash.
Brief Scores:
India 250 (Kohli 116, Cummins 4-29) beat Australia 242 (Stoinis 53, Handscomb 48, Kuldeep 3-54) by eight runs
Here is the how Twitterati reacted after India’s win:
The ground Shankar is covering with the bat is getting lost with the ball. Soon, India will have to start considering him as a genuine batsman. Won’t give you 3 in a T20 or 6 in an ODI. #IndvAus
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 5, 2019
Well bowled vijay shankar and great leadership by Virat. A nailbiter finish for the crowd and great result for team India #indvsaus
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 5, 2019
Vijay Shankar ki ticket for World Cup is confirmed @vijayshankar260
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) March 5, 2019
Marvellous victory. Jasprit Bumrah take a bow, just 2 runs in his last 2 overs, outstanding stuff and this is a great win. Feel very happy for Vijay Shankar, he has got a good head on his shoulder #IndvAus
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) March 5, 2019
Brilliant century from Virat , outstanding death over bowling from Bumrah and Vijay Shankar holding his nerves really well in the end. Bahut badhiya jeet. #INDvAUS
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) March 5, 2019
No more Doubting Thomases for Vijay Shankar now #IndvAus
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) March 5, 2019
Thanks to Karan johar..for producing an all-rounder named Vijay shankar
— V Srinivas (@SriTnku1) March 5, 2019
After this masterclass show Vijay Shankar to me has booked a ticked for the World Cup.. He has boarded the flight ✈️ for England!! #INDvsAUS #STARSPORT
— Ashish sharma (@ashishonline18) March 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/Mini_lama/status/1102962889114021888
https://twitter.com/AdiiiTea/status/1102962900371566592
Vijay shankar last over is like #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/TMRcNSMhi2
— ROHIT (@Rohitchawla89) March 5, 2019
कल शिवरात्रि थी…
आज शंकर रात्रि हैं…#INDvAUS— Akhil Gupta 🏏 (@Guptastats92) March 5, 2019
Every Indian to Vijay Shankar right now#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/5dH68EJzuc
— 黒崎 一護 (@_sinofpridee) March 5, 2019
Vijay Shanker 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🇮🇳🇦🇺🏏
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) March 5, 2019
Bumrah just finds a way to get into the game. Kohli with the ball?
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 5, 2019
