Match Report
Aus vs Ind (Second ODI): Kohli-Dhoni Guide India To Series-Level Victory
By Sandy - Jan 15, 2019 5:22 pm
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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.

Dhoni-Kohli
MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli

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.

Marsh
Shaun Marsh

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.

India
Indian cricket team

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.

Kohli
Virat Kohli

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
MS Dhoni

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.

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