If the previous ODI in Wankhede was any indicator, it must have taught the Indian bowlers to nip Aussie openers in the bud. The bowlers seemed to have learnt this lesson as the talented pool of bowlers prevented Australia from chasing what could have been a chase-able target for the visitors.
Another major takeaway for skipper Virat Kohli and head coach Ravi Shastri is the fact that K.L. Rahul could be a viable replacement for M.S Dhoni, as Rahul showed both class and maturity with the bat and behind the wicket. Being adjudged man of the match also reaffirms this fact.
India’s 36-run victory over Australia sets up a decider in Bengaluru and clears the Indian cricket team of the vitriol showered on it by critics after India’s disappointing outing in the first ODI.
Here is a list of the turning points in the second ODI that turned the tables in India’s favor.
Rahul’s breather at 21
Smith’s misjudged throw really cost Australia a lot. Rahul, who was in the non-strikers end, was sent back by Kohli after he nudged the ball to Steve Smith. Rahul, who was already half-way through the crease, got a breather as Smith’s poor throw failed to hit the stumps. Rahul, who was at 21 at the moment, would later go on to score a crucial 80 off 52 balls.
Kohli-Dhawan partnership
The partnership by Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli added 103 runs to India’s scoreboard and provided the impetus for the upcoming batsmen to capitalise on it.
Manish Pandey’s one-hander
Pandey’s stunning catch dismissed Australia’s lethal opener David Warner, who was evidently struck with the surprise catch. The catch was instrumental in breaking the Warner-Finch partnership, which paved the way for the Aussies’ dominating win in the 1st ODI.
Rahul’s stumping of Finch
Jadeja’s trick to invite Finch for the front foot shot worked when Rahul’s quick stumping dismissed the opener. The Karnataka boy proved his wicket keeping skills with this stumping and gave another reason for being judged Man of the Match.
Jadeja dismisses Labuschagne
Jadeja’s second wicket was yet another turning point. Smith had already partnered with Marnus Labuschagne to establish a running partnership of 96 runs that seemed to threaten India’s chances at the game. However, Jadeja’s spin worked wonders when Labuschagne’s shot was caught by Shami at long-off. The dismissal in the 31st over began a streak of successive dismissals of Australian batsmen, aided by Kuldeep’s dismissal of Carey and Smith, and Shami’s back-to-back strikes on Turner and Cummins.
Apart from these, the Indian seamers successfully capitalised on the fall of the Australian top order, as both Shami and Saini plucked the wickets of the visitor’s lower order. Rahul’s finesse behind the wicket also contributed to India’s victory over the Aussies. Bumrah, despite only picking one wicket, bowled a very tight spell, by giving away a meagre total of 32 runs in the 10 overs he bowled, with an economy rate below four.
