On Sunday, September 24, India secured a resounding victory over Australia in the second One-Day International (ODI) at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore. Using the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) Method, India triumphed by a commanding margin of 99 runs. This win not only clinched the series for the Men in Blue, with a 2-0 lead and one match left to play, but also propelled India to the top spot in the ODI rankings as they prepare for the 2023 World Cup.
Australia had the fortune of winning the toss but found little else going in their favor. India, batting first after losing the toss, piled on an imposing total of 399 runs for the loss of five wickets. While Ruturaj Gaikwad departed early, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer formed a formidable partnership, accumulating 200 runs for the second wicket, establishing India’s dominance in the game.
Both Gill and Shreyas showcased their prowess by notching centuries, leaving the Australian bowlers searching for answers. After their remarkable stand, KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan took up the mantle. Rahul continued his stellar form from the previous match in Mohali, contributing 52 runs from just 38 balls. The left-handed Kishan added to the fireworks with a brisk 31 runs from 18 balls.
Suryakumar Yadav provided the finishing touch to India’s innings, remaining unbeaten with a stunning 72 runs off 37 balls, featuring six boundaries and an equal number of sixes. Cameron Green managed to claim two wickets but proved to be expensive, conceding a staggering 103 runs. He even bore the brunt of Suryakumar Yadav’s onslaught, conceding four consecutive sixes.
Australia’s pursuit of the daunting target began on a shaky note. Early dismissals of Matthew Short and Steve Smith, courtesy of Prasidh Krishna, put the Aussies in a precarious position. In the 10th over, rain interrupted play, leading to a revised target of 317 runs in 33 overs when action resumed. The rain delay substantially increased the required run rate, which climbed beyond 11 runs per over.
David Warner showed some resistance, accumulating 53 runs from 39 balls before falling to R Ashwin, who also claimed the scalps of Marnus Labuschagne and Josh Inglis. Cameron Green contributed briefly with a four and a six before being run out at the striker’s end.
However, Sean Abbott and Josh Hazlewood managed to provide a glimmer of hope for the Australian side by putting on a 77-run partnership for the ninth wicket. Abbott, who recently equaled the record for the fastest century in the history of England’s T20 Blast, showcased his prowess by amassing 54 runs from 36 balls, featuring four boundaries and five sixes.
Despite Abbott’s valiant efforts, Australia ultimately fell short by a significant margin of 99 runs, handing India a well-deserved victory and cementing their status as the top-ranked ODI team in the world as they look ahead to the 2023 World Cup.
