The visiting side India levelled the three-match ODI series against the hosts Australia by winning the second ODI at the Adelaide Oval (Adelaide) on Tuesday (15 January). Chasing down the 299 runs target, the century of Virat Kohli century and MS Dhoni’s unbeaten century guided the team for a six-wicket victory (with four balls remaining) and also made the series 1-1 at the moment.
Leading the series by 1-0, Australia decided to bat first in the second ODI after winning the toss. After losing both the openers Alex Carey (18) and the skipper Aaron Finch (6) once again very early, Usman Khawaja and Shaun Marsh controlled the innings with a 56-run partnership for the third wicket.
Also watch: Ravindra Jadeja’s Rocket Throw Sends Back Usman Khawaja
After Khawaja was run out on 21 off 23 balls, Marsh had another two back-to-back 50+ partnership with Peter Handscomb (20 runs) and Marcus Stoinis (29 runs). In between these times, Marsh completed his half-century in 62 balls and he was continuing his great innings.
Also watch: Dhoni And Jadeja Sends Back Peter Handscomb
The sixth wicket partnership between Marsh and Glenn Maxwell has proved vital in that innings as it put 94-run partnership. After completing his century in 108 balls, Marsh carried his knock for the longer. Meanwhile, Maxwell’s big hitting abilities helped Australia to add quick runs in the death overs.
In the 48th over, Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed both the set batsmen Marsh (131 runs off 123 balls) & Maxwell (48 runs off 37 balls) and it widely helped the visiting side to restrict the hosts under 300 total.
While the lower-order wickets were falling cheaply at the end, Nathan Lyon’s (12*) sixer on the last ball helped Australia to manage 298/9 at the end of 50 overs.
Among the Indian bowlers, pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar (4/45) and Mohammed Shami (3/58) picked up four and three wickets respectively. Also, the left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja (1/49) claimed one wicket in that innings.
Also watch: Mohammed Shami Takes Revenge From Marcus Stoinis
In reply, the Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan provided a good start with the 47-run partnership. After Dhawan was dismissed on 32 runs, Rohit had a 54-run partnership with the Indian skipper Virat Kohli.
The Sydney ODI centurion Rohit played a 43-run knock at this time. After Rohit’s dismissal, Kohli had another 59-run partnership for the third wicket with Ambati Rayudu who managed to score 24 runs before losing his wicket. During that partnership, Kohli completed his half-century in 66 balls.
Then MS Dhoni joined the crease and provided a crucial 82-run partnership with Kohli for the fourth wicket. That brilliant partnership set the high tone for the visiting side. Kohli claimed his 39th ODI century after completing it in 108 balls. However, soon after completing his brilliant century, Kohli was dismissed on 104 off 112 balls.
Also read: Fans Troll Kohli And Team Management For Not Selecting Kedar Jadhav In Adelaide ODI
Dhoni took the next charge with Dinesh Karthik and they brilliantly guided the visiting side for a crucial series-levelling victory. Dhoni and Karthik had a marvellous unbroken 57-run partnership for the fifth wicket while Dhoni completed his second consecutive ODI half-century along with levelling the scoreboard and he secured a victory by taking a single on the very next ball.
Dhoni remained not out on 55 off 54 balls (2 sixes) while Karthik played a great cameo of unbeaten 25 off 14 balls (2 fours) as India chased the target in 49.2 overs after losing four wickets.
Among the Australian bowlers, Jason Behrendorff (1/52), Jhye Richardson (1/59), Marcus Stoinis (1/46) and the off-spinner Glenn Maxwell (1/16) all picked up one wicket each.
Here are some Twitter reactions:
A great win and a fabulous innings by @imVkohli. Yet another at his adopted home ground😉. Excellent role played by @msdhoni and @DineshKarthik to take India over the line. #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/7n3M2l3hZS
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 15, 2019
Picture abhi baaki hai mere Dost !
Wonderful innings from Virat. Dhoni and Karthik finishing it in style. Will need more matches with 4-5-6 playing handy match-winning knocks. pic.twitter.com/YHdwJ0G59X— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 15, 2019
Legends don't need to prove their worth to anyone. Great display of class and temperament by Mahi bhai @msdhoni and @imVkohli 👏👏👏
Congratulations on the win!😁#AUSvIND— Jasprit Bumrah (@Jaspritbumrah93) January 15, 2019
Genuine question for Dhoni fans: do you believe India can win the WC with him in the side? #AUSvIND
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) January 15, 2019
Dhoni has shown his class here. Just understood the situation beautifully. And this is a tribute to his fitness
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/chetannarula/status/1085133105948553216?s=20
MS Dhoni fans to Haters now. #Dhoni #MSDhoni pic.twitter.com/gdkDX8gVsn
— Prabhu (@Cricprabhu) January 15, 2019
Whether in his pomp or twilight of his career, how can Dhoni not take the match to the last over….. and finish it off with a six. What a template & style #AUSvsIND #Dhoni @msdhoni
— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) January 15, 2019
Excellent reading of the game today by Dhoni. Karthik in the end made it easy for him but it was yet another Masterclass by Kohli that made the difference .
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 15, 2019
Picture abhi baaki hai mere Dost !
Wonderful innings from Virat. Dhoni and Karthik finishing it in style. Will need more matches with 4-5-6 playing handy match-winning knocks. pic.twitter.com/YHdwJ0G59X— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 15, 2019
It’s amazing that in the last ODI game, that many people criticised @msdhoni and he got a rough LBW decision, now with @imVkohli and @DineshKarthik he finishes a great game. Dhoni is a freak. Been saying it for years.
— Dean Jones AM (@ProfDeano) January 15, 2019
(Thank God, I didn't tweet anything bad about Dhoni last match.)
— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) January 15, 2019
Dhoni hits detractors and skeptics for a 6! Tight match, fine win
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 15, 2019
Wow! What a performance from Dhoni, the old warrior, and Kohli to give India a brilliant 6-wicket win over Aus in 2nd #INDvAUS ODI in Adelaide. Series level 1-1
— Minhaz Merchant (@MinhazMerchant) January 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/thegmania/status/1085133615158231041?s=20
Dhoni, a modest wave of his hand rather than the bat. Job done. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/bRNhqM9DQL
— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) January 15, 2019
Fantastic run chase by India . Excellent 100 from Virat, he makes it look very easy. Was wonderful to see Dhoni finish of the game beautifully and Dinesh Karthik’s cameo was very very important in the end. The final game should be a cracker.
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 15, 2019
India beat Australia by 6 wickets to level the series 1-1. That SIX by MS Dhoni was a tight slap on the face of Dhoni Haters 😂🙌👏 #AUSvsIND #INDvsAUS
— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) January 15, 2019
This two legend @imVkohli , @msdhoni win the match and win all indians hearts !! last over first ball six best finisher dhoni. #Dhoni #CricketMeriJaan #AUSvsIND pic.twitter.com/G1k6REb1lB
— Jaydeep Kataria (@JaydeepKataria) January 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/dhonimahiswag/status/1085135347569381376?s=20
https://twitter.com/cricketdiet/status/1085134388969369600?s=20
https://twitter.com/IamSiyuBaghel/status/1085136775218118656?s=20
https://twitter.com/chotadoctor/status/1085135235568693249?s=20
Exactly… Dhoni to Twitter.. #AUSvsIND #INDvsAUS https://t.co/J264P1XNNx
— Professor Salva 💥 (@professsorsalva) January 15, 2019
Situation of Arm Chair Critics criticizing MS #Dhoni on his finishing ability right now 🤣!#INDvAUS #AUSvIND #AUSvsIND pic.twitter.com/Ytp06nWTJ1
— Sujith Kolap (@KolapSujith) January 15, 2019
Hope everyone watching the master the finisher @msdhoni win a another match for india …
Love you mahi #AUSvsIND #MSDhoni— Rishabh Trivedi (@Rishabh50969528) January 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/TheRohitGulati/status/1085135027350966272?s=20
Critics: his career is over
Dhoni: pic.twitter.com/f2AP5GDNTt
— Parody (@_therealNobody) January 15, 2019
Gandhi ji searching for Dhoni haters on twitter. pic.twitter.com/YqWZbBTOpH
— Krishna (@Atheist_Krishna) January 15, 2019
MS Dhoni right now. #AusvInd pic.twitter.com/GpjvMr8d7f
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) January 15, 2019
