Hosts India registered a sensational victory and took a 2-0 lead in the 5 match ODI series against Australia. It was a fantastic final over by Vijay Shankar which helped India keep their winning streak in ODI’s. The opportunity came and Vijay Shankar grabbed it with both hands. He batted brilliantly but was run out in an unfortunate manner.
Batting first India lost the wicket of Rohit Sharma in the very first over. It was the worst possible start India would have hoped. After a brief partnership between captain Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan, the latter was dismissed by Glenn Maxwell. It was a fluent knock by Vijay Shankar which brought India back into the game. Captain Virat Kohli played 2nd fiddle and allowed the youngster to go after the bowlers. Kohli looked in scintillating knock and played one of those typical Kohli innings. He built his innings perfectly and allowed the other batters to revolve around. However, he kept losing his partners in crucial junctures of the game.
Virat Kohli scored his 40th ODI century
He smashed his 40th ODI century by guiding Nathan Coulter Nile for a single. Kohli struck 10 fours during his knock of 116 of 120 deliveries. It was his knock which ensured India reached a competitive total of 250 runs. However, they failed to play their full quota of 50 overs. The Australian bowlers were pretty impressive as they never allowed India to get a hold on the accelerator.
Australia began in an impressive fashion
Australia began quite brilliantly as openers Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja looked in great touch. Finch came to back to form with a score of 37 and shared a 83 runs stand with Khawaja. It was Kuldeep Yadav who gave India the first breakthrough in the form of Finch’s wicket. Kedar Jadhav provided India with the next wicket in the very next over. The hosts were back into the game with a bang.
Peter Handscomb played brilliantly before he was brilliantly run out by Ravindra Jadeja. He inflicted a bullet throw to disturb the timbers as Australia lost their 5th wicket. Marcus Stoinis scored a half-century but played out several dot deliveries which stalled Australia’s progress. Kuldeep Yadav went for 15 runs in his final spell but also got the wicket of Alex Carey. Finally, it was Vijay Shankar who held his nerve and bowled a terrific final over to give India a narrow victory b 8 runs.
Now here is what winning skipper Virat Kohli said at the post-match presentation
When I walk to bat, the situation gets difficult, I got no choice, just need to put my head down and bat. Me and Vijay Shankar had a good partnership. I’m totally exhausted now. He (Shankar) was batting outstandingly well but was unfortunately run-out. I knew 250+ would be challenging. I was thinking about the 46th over (to go with Kedar/Shankar). I was talking with both of them (Rohit and Dhoni). If they (Bumrah and Shami) take wickets, we’ll be right in the game and that’s exactly what happened. He (Shankar) just put the ball in the right areas. He showed great composure with both bat and the ball; a good game for him.
Both are experienced, it’s always nice to speak to them. Rohit is the vice-captain and MS has been there for a long time. These guys watch the game so keenly. I have a word with the bowler as well, invariably all of them are on the same page. He’s (Bumrah) a champion. He just turned the game around, he’s at the top of the rankings, he’s at the top of his game. So proud to have him on our side. Just to come through in games like these, gives great confidence.
I think it’s very important to look ugly at times and earn victories. There might be low totals in WC games as well. We will fight till the end, and tonight was an example of that. This type of pitch was tailor-made for him (Kedar). He was keen to bowl the last over as well. He was chirping and encouraging the bowlers. He gives you 7 quality overs as well. It felt good (40th ODI century), just a number. As long as I keep playing for India, I’m happy.