India Secures 2-0 ODI Series Victory over Australia with Dominant Performance
India displayed exceptional batting and bowling prowess to claim a comprehensive 2-0 victory against Australia in the three-match ODI series. The team’s dominant performance was highlighted by strong contributions from both its batsmen and bowlers, culminating in a 99-run win via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method in the second match at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
Australia faced a daunting task chasing India’s mammoth target of 400 runs and suffered early setbacks as Prasidh Krishna dismissed Matthew Short and Steve Smith in consecutive deliveries, with Smith recording a golden duck. Despite this setback, Australia opted for an aggressive approach and reached 56/2 in the ninth over before rain interrupted play for an hour.
Resuming their innings after the rain delay, Australia now had to chase a revised target of 317 runs in 33 overs. David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne attempted to maintain the required run rate, but R Ashwin dismissed Labuschagne in the 12.5 overs. Although Warner managed to reach his half-century in the 14th over, he too fell victim to Ashwin’s spin. Ashwin further tightened India’s grip by removing Josh Inglis in the same over.
India’s spin bowling attack proved too much for Australia as Alex Carey was dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja in the 18.2 overs. Australia’s hopes dwindled further when Cameron Green was run out in the 20th over. Jadeja struck again, dismissing Adam Zampa in the 20.4 over, leaving Australia struggling to save wickets.
Despite a counter-attacking innings by Sean Abbott, who attacked Indian bowlers with regular boundaries, Australia failed to mount a successful comeback. Abbott’s efforts were in vain as India bowled out Australia for 217 runs in just 28.2 overs.
Earlier in the match, India’s batting performance was exceptional as Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and a late surge from Suryakumar Yadav powered the team to its highest-ever score of 399/5 against Australia in a 50-over match. Put into bat first, India lost Ruturaj Gaikwad early but Gill and Iyer steadied the innings with a solid partnership.
Gill achieved his half-century in 37 balls, while Iyer reached his fifty in 41 balls. The duo’s partnership flourished, with Iyer eventually scoring a century in just 86 balls. Their partnership finally broke at 216/2 when Iyer was caught by Matt Short off Sean Abbott’s bowling.
Gill added a century to his name but was dismissed by Cameron Green after scoring 104 runs off 97 balls. Other notable contributions came from KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan, with Suryakumar Yadav providing the team with a late flourish.
India’s outstanding performance with the bat, combined with the team’s spin bowling supremacy, ensured a comprehensive victory against Australia, sealing the series 2-0. The team’s dominant display will no doubt buoy their confidence as they continue their cricketing journey.
