After losing the second game by two wickets in Adelaide on Thursday, India surrendered the three-match ODI series against Australia, despite Rohit Sharma’s heroic 73. This defeat will rekindle the controversy over the exclusion of match-winner Kuldeep Yadav from the starting lineup.
The foundation of India’s total of 264 for 9—at least 25 runs behind what should have been a par-score—was a 97-ball effort by Rohit, who under pressure combined grit and grace on a fiery track.
Australia suffered against Indian spinners in response, but the visitors lost a close encounter because Nitish Reddy was selected to play as a multi-skilled player rather than a true match-winner like Kuldeep.
Two cricketers who are also trying out for the IPL, Cooper Connolly (61 not out off 53 balls) and Mitchell Owen (36 off 23 balls), dominated both pacers and spinners as Australia overcame a late collapse to canter home in 46.2 overs to establish an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
The pair ended Australia’s three-series losing streak in the format by adding 59 runs in only 6.3 overs. The inconsequential third ODI on October 25 will put an end to the ongoing rubber in Sydney.
Finding the gaps with ease in a pressure-cooker situation, Connolly, who was recently in Kanpur for a ‘A’ series, reminded everyone of a certain Michael Bevan while finishing the match.
In doing so, he also highlighted how tough things could get for India at the 2027 World Cup if their fixation on all-rounders isn’t rethought.
Reddy, batting at No. 8, managed 8 off 10 balls and conceded 24 runs in three overs. To his credit, though, Axar Patel dropped a straightforward catch from Matthew Short (74), who went on to set up Australia’s win.
At the other end, an impatient Alex Carey (9) was bowled while attempting to sweep for Washington Sundar (2/37).
But as soon as the powerful Mitchell Owen entered the game, he completely destroyed Harshit Rana (2/59 in 8 overs), tipping the scales in Australia’s favor.
Earlier, Rohit Sharma combined a lot of grit with some grace to produce a potentially career-extending 73 on a spicy track that served as the foundation for India’s total of 264/9.
Despite losing captain Shubman Gill (9) and Virat Kohli (0) in quick succession, India managed a respectable total thanks to Rohit’s 97-ball effort and his 118-run partnership for the third wicket with Shreyas Iyer (61 off 77 balls).
The bowlers had something to aim at thanks to Axar Patel’s 44 off 41 balls and his stand of 39 with the courageous Washington Sundar (12).
Arshdeep Singh (13) and Harshit Rana (24 not out) put up 37 off 29 balls for the ninth wicket, pushing the team total beyond 260.
Australia’s Adam Zampa took 4 for 60 while most of the batters who attempted to attack him were dismissed. Additionally noteworthy was Xavier Bartlett (3/39 in 10 overs), who claimed a maiden over and the valuable scalp of Kohli.
In the Powerplay, Rohit had to weather many nerve-wracking moments as Josh Hazlewood (0/29 in 10 overs, including two maidens) made the ball talk, thus the Indian innings was all about his tenacity.
At one point, Rohit played 17 straight dot balls off Hazlewood, and the lateral movement and underlying dampness made both him and Iyer appear extremely cautious.
While Kohli was preparing to play an outswinger, Bartlett’s delivery caused one to move in swiftly, and the maestro was caught plumb in front.
As he left the field, he said thanks to the fans in Adelaide, where he had amassed several Test hundreds and a World Cup century against Pakistan.
Rohit focused on consolidation and keeping the bat close to his body throughout the first fifty or so balls. He tried to leave the deliveries on the length and took a few on the body.
Mitchell Starc’s flicked boundary over square leg was the only successful shot of that phase.
Playing back-to-back traditional pick-up pulls off Mitchell Owen’s amiable medium pacers was the first time one saw Rohit in his prime.
With Iyer rotating the strike with an upright stance and India scoring 17 from that over, the scoreboard began to move and gain pace.
The swivel he lost off his hips while attempting to put Starc over the square leg boundary proved to be his undoing, but there was still time for a 33rd ODI hundred.
Kohli remained under pressure and departed the field, waving his gloves for the Adelaide fans who were most likely seeing his last moments, while Rohit was given much-needed breathing room.
